Northeast News
July 26, 2011

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon requested a major disaster declaration Monday for the State of Missouri from President Barack Obama as a result of historic Missouri River flooding and severe weather that have affected the state since June 1.

“As we all know, destructive and deadly weather has repeatedly hit Missouri with devastating consequences in 2011, and the latest round of flooding and severe weather has damaged and destroyed homes, impacted businesses and saddled Missouri families with major expenses,” Nixon said. “I am requesting that the president issue a major disaster declaration to provide assistance to Missouri families and public agencies as they deal with the tremendous cost of responding to flooding and storm damage and work to rebuild communities and recover.”

Nixon’s request includes the following counties: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Clark, Holt, Howard, Knox, Lafayette, Lewis, Linn, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Platte, Ralls, Ray, St. Charles, Saline, Shelby and Sullivan.

Gov. Nixon first declared a state of emergency in Missouri effective Friday, April 22, due to high winds, tornadoes and severe flooding that had affected the state since April 19. The initial order activated the State Emergency Operations Center and enabled the state to mobilize its resources, including the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Missouri National Guard and Missouri State Highway Patrol, to assist local authorities.

Due to the continuing need for state resources to assist Missouri communities, Nixon extended the emergency declaration until Sept. 15. Members of the National Guard are continuing to provide assistance with Missouri River flooding and are coordinating debris removal and recovery efforts in tornado-devastated Joplin.