Governor Matt Blunt is quick to react to the crisis in southeast Missouri. He’s issuing a pair of executive orders to help residents of the area affected by the Taum Sauk Dam breach. One directs state agencies to cooperate with local authorities in the stricken areas. The other has the National Guard providing any assistance that might be requested by state or local officials. And, the Governor has been in contact with electric utility Ameren, which operates the dam, to provide housing for those who are displaced. The Governor is headed to the stricken area today to get a first hand look at the damage and how emergency operations are operating.