Missouri is in a state of emergency, according to the second weather-related executive order issued by Gov. Mike Parson within a week.
Severe flooding around the St. Louis metropolitan area prompted Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, acting on behalf of Parson while he's on a trade mission in Germany, to sign an executive order Tuesday declaring a state of emergency in Missouri and activating the Missouri Emergency Operations Plan.
The executive order, which expires Aug. 26, permits state agencies to work directly with local jurisdictions to provide assistance to flood victims. It also sets in motion a plan for the state to seek a federal Major Disaster Declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Starting late Monday night and continuing into Tuesday morning, the St. Louis area experienced record rainfall that led to widespread flash flooding, which closed major highways and led to hundreds of water rescue missions.
St. Louis Lambert International Airport received more than 8 inches of rain by 7 a.m. Tuesday, shattering the previous daily rainfall total of 6.85 inches set in 1915. St. Peters and O'Fallon, located just west of St. Louis, received 12 and 10 inches of rain, respectively, according to the National Weather Service.
The Missouri Highway Patrol responded to more than 100 calls for assistance Tuesday morning as local first responders also worked to free people and animals trapped in homes and vehicles.
"With record rainfall impacting the St. Louis region and the potential for additional rain and isolated thunderstorms, we want to ensure that our communities have every resource available to respond and protect Missourians," the governor said in a statement from Germany. "Our state government team will work to assist affected Missourians and provide ongoing relief and support during this emergency. We urge Missourians to follow the direction of local authorities and emergency managers, never drive in floodwaters, and always use common sense to prevent injury."
Kehoe said state agencies are ready to provide assistance in flooded areas and the Missouri Emergency Operations Plan enables them to work more efficiently and effectively with local partners.
"Today there was tremendous work by local first responders, emergency managers and citizen rescuers rushing to help during these extremely dangerous conditions," SEMA Director Jim Remillard said in a statement. "Please continue to avoid the impacted areas, and if anyone has unmet needs, we encourage you to call United Way 2-1-1."
Tuesday's action on flooding is the second weather-related executive order the governor issued within a week.
Parson signed an executive order aimed at combating drought conditions in 53 of the state's 114 counties on July 21.
That order, which expires Dec. 1, permits state agencies to suspend rules and regulations to shield the state's agriculture industry from severe heat and dryness. The state Department of Natural Resources and Department of Conservation, for example, have initiated processes for farmers to access water and hay from state parks and conservation sites.
Nearly 75 percent of the state is experiencing drought and about 35 percent is experiencing severe to extreme drought, according to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor map released July 21.
See also:
Missouri suspends some drought restrictions