Gov. Nixon requests federal disaster declaration

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon requested a major disaster declaration for the state of Missouri from President Barack Obama, as a result of the high winds, tornadoes and severe flooding that have affected the state since April 19.

The disaster declaration would provide assistance to individuals and public agencies.

Gov. Nixon declared a state of emergency in Missouri effective Friday, April 22. That order activated the State Emergency Operations Center and enabled the state to mobilize its resources – including the State Emergency Management Agency, or SEMA, and the National Guard and Highway. Since that time, more than 750 members of the National Guard have been mobilized to provide assistance where needed, and some 150 Highway Patrol troopers have been assigned to help with the flooding response.

The governor seeks federal assistance for individuals and for cost of responding to tornadoes in the St. Louis area and severe – and in many cases, record – flooding in southern, southeast Missouri.

Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt joined Nixon in his request.

Posted in: Barack Obama,disaster assistance,flooding,Jay Nixon