Missouri National Guard mobilized to assist in flood response effort

Missouri National Guard Soldiers staging vehicles at the Cape Girardeau armory in preparation for possible use in state emergency duty. (Photo by M. Queiser/Missouri National Guard)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - As rain continues to fall throughout the state, Gov. Jay Nixon has mobilized the Missouri National Guard in support of flood response activities in southern and southeast Missouri.

Missouri National Guard liaison officers are already in place at emergency operations centers in Butler and Mississippi counties.

"I have directed Maj. Gen. Danner to immediately move Guard units into place where they can best help in protecting health and property," Nixon said. "The Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Missouri National Guard have demonstrated their ability to help with natural disasters numerous times over the years, most recently in the work they did before, during, and after the blizzard and record snowstorm this winter.
"I have full confidence in the Guard to assist local emergency officials around the state."

Two hundred Citizen-Soldiers will be going to Poplar Bluff to help support initial flood relief efforts. The troops are part of a task force which is organized under 70th Troop Command in Jefferson Barracks. The Missouri National Guard has a total force of more than 11,500 Guard members who are ready to respond.

"Your Missouri National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have supported 19 state emergencies since 2005, including major flooding in 2008," said Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. "We are ready to meet whatever challenges we face."

While on duty, Missouri Guard members are expected to take on a number of missions in support of local authorities, including sandbagging, levee monitoring, door-to-door safety visits, and supporting law enforcement and first responders.

"Our troops are bringing valuable experience from previous state emergency missions and overseas deployments," Danner said. "We are a professional force and will provide our fellow Missourians with the same high-quality emergency response they've come to expect."

Units supporting the flood response include: 70th Troop Command, Jefferson Barracks; 175th Military Police Battalion, of Columbia; the 1221st Transportation Company, of Dexter, Portageville and Sikeston; the 1138th Military Police Company, of West Plains and Springfield; 1137th Military Police Company, of Kennet, Jackson and Doniphan; the 1175th Military Police Company, of St. Clair and St. Louis; and the Joint Operations Center at Joint Force Headquarters in Jefferson City.

All floods are different, so Guard members and civilians who went through the flood of 2008 should not necessarily expect conditions to be the same, said Capt. Timothy Grenke, Missouri National Guard safety specialist.

"It's important for our Soldiers and Airmen to assess all situations before conducting operations," Grenke said. "For civilians, it is important that they have a plan and provisions in their homes and, if necessary, are ready to seek higher ground."

Those in a flooded area should also wear the proper safety gear and avoid crossing moving water, Grenke said.

Missouri's Soldiers and Airmen will continue working in support of local authorities until released by the governor.

For continuing updates on the response, visit www.moguard.com and the Missouri National Guard's pages on Facebook, Flickr and Twitter.

Missouri National Guard Soldiers staging vehicles at the Cape Girardeau armory in preparation for possible use in state emergency duty. (Photo by M. Queiser/Missouri National Guard)