Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency in response to heavy rain and flash flooding in much of the state.

The State Emergency Operations Center has been monitoring this weeks storms since its activation last week, when severe weather and tornadoes hit Missouri. The Governor’s action today activates the Missouri National Guard, whose soldiers are being sent to Clarksville, where sandbagging has already begun, and other communities along the Mississippi River to assist in the flood fight. It also activates the Missouri State Operations Plan to allow state agencies to work directly with local jurisdictions to offer emergency services.

The National Weather Service says many portions of northeast Missouri received between 3.5 and 5 inches of rain this week. Many streams and rivers are above flood stage or rising. In response to the rising Mississippi, Hannibal is installing its flood gates. The same move is being considered in Cape Girardeau.

See the release on the Governor’s website.