Governor Jay Nixon has requested a federal emergency declaration. Parts of southern and eastern Missouri have been impacted by historic river flooding, including along the Meramec and Bourbeuse rivers.

Gov. Nixon surveys damage in St. Louis region on Jan. 2

Gov. Nixon surveys damage in St. Louis region on January 2. Photo courtesy of Nixon’s Twitter page.

“Devastating, record flooding has affected hundreds of homes and businesses across the St. Louis region and left a trail of destruction and debris,” Nixon said.

“Missouri response agencies, businesses, volunteers and citizens have responded heroically to the challenges, and now as we work to recover and move forward, I’m requesting federal resources for debris removal to speed the recovery process and ease the burden on strained local communities.”

Nixon said he will be seeking U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assistance to collect and dispose of both debris left behind by rising waters and debris that will be removed from flooded homes and businesses, as the region prepares to rebuild and recover.

If the federal emergency declaration request is approved, the Missouri National Guard will manage the program at the state level and coordinate with the federal and local governments. Nixon activated the Guard on December 29 to monitor levees, direct traffic away from road closures and sandbag.

On Dec. 30, President Barack Obama called Governor Nixon by phone to offer the federal government’s support in Missouri’s flood fight.