Mo. gov. directs Guard to coordinate flood efforts

Posted at 9:59 p.m. Wednesday:

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has directed the National Guard to coordinate efforts against flooding along the Missouri River and its tributaries.

Nixon issued an executive order Wednesday allowing the Missouri National Guard to work with local police and emergency management agencies to ensure that people's homes and property are protected.

Separate task forces will focus on flood preparation and response in the western and eastern halves of the state.

A third Guard task force will focus on flood preparations at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph and throughout Buchanan County.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to release the largest-ever amounts of water from upstream dams this month to relieve pressure from heavy rains and melting snow in states northwest of Missouri.

Meanwhile, as communities in northwest Missouri battle flooding along the Missouri River, their counterparts in northeast areas of the state are relaxing as the flood threat eases on the Mississippi River.

Hannibal street department personnel have removed flood gates that protect the city when the Mississippi River rises. The gates at two of the city's riverfront streets were installed May 27. The Mark Train Riverboat also has relocated to its normal place on the Hannibal riverfront, after being moved when rising waters cut off access to its typical spot.

Posted at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday:

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has directed the National Guard to coordinate efforts against flooding along the Missouri River and its tributaries.

Nixon issued an executive order Wednesday allowing the Missouri National Guard to work with local police and emergency management agencies to ensure that people's homes and property are protected.

Separate task forces will focus on flood preparation and response in the western and eastern halves of the state.

A third Guard task force will focus on flood preparations at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph and throughout Buchanan County.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to release the largest-ever amounts of water from upstream dams this month to relieve pressure from heavy rains and melting snow in states northwest of Missouri.