Gov. Nixon meets with National Guard on northwest Missouri flooding/Gov's office
Governor Nixon says Missouri has had to sustain a series of blows from severe weather, with worries about summer flooding rising. Even as the governor keeps an eye on floodwaters in northwest Missouri, he remains focused on helping Joplin recover.
Nixon tells the Missourinet Missouri has had to absorb a series of blows from severe weather, with the biggest blow striking Joplin May 22nd.
“I think the most important thing we’re focused on here is making sure that the strength and the will of the people of Joplin stays upbeat the way it has over this last three and a half weeks,” says Nixon.
Nixon reflects on a year of weather disasters.
“It’s been quite a year. When you talk about the tornados in Sedalia, when you talk about the tornado that knocked the airport in St. Louis, you talk about Bird’s Point – half a county being flooded – the Missouri River where it is, Joplin the most deadly single tornado in American history,” according to Nixon. “All of that together is testing both the will and the pocketbook of the people of the state of Missouri.”
Nixon has set aside $50 million in the state budget to help pay for disaster assistance. He’s asking the federal government to provide additional relief.
Through it all, Nixon has seen Missourians rise to the challenge.
“We’re now over 65,000 volunteer hours down in Joplin. The Cardinals and the Royals are dedicating their series and some of the proceeds from it this weekend to help the Joplin Relief Fund. We’ve had millions of dollars contributed. We’ve had all sorts of Missourians helping,” according to Nixon. “The bottom line is, I think, that while times have been challenging, I do think that in the most challenging times Missourians come together and show their strength.”
Nixon returns to Joplin on Wednesday. He will tour a temporary facility to be used for juniors and seniors in the Joplin high school this fall. Renovations are underway at the former ShopKo located at Northpark Mall. Joplin Superintendent C. J. Huff will lead the tour. Joplin school officials have secured temporary locations to replace all the schools damaged by the tornado. Renovations are expected to be completed by the time school is scheduled to start August 17th.
Click here for information on donating to Joplin disaster relief.
AUDIO: Brent Martin reports [1:10 MP3]
