For many families, volunteers, and communities throughout the state, April 28th seems like it was yesterday. It was then that a strong storm system brought multiple rounds of thunderstorms and torrential rain to much of Missouri, leading to deadly and historic flooding. At least 12 rivers and major creeks crested at all-time high flood levels (in some cases several feet higher than previous records); rainfall totals reached 10 to 12 inches within several hours in some places; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determined parts of Howell and Texas counties received “once-in-a-millennium” rainfall totals. Other areas received once-in-500-year rainfall totals. In addition, there were four tornadoes on April 29.

Hundreds of homes sustained major damage or were destroyed. Numerous roads and bridges were flooded and heavily damaged in communities throughout Missouri.

At this time, we want to thank the many state workers, along with our local and federal counterparts (and the numerous volunteer and faith-based organizations), for working nonstop to help our fellow Missourians pick up the pieces and take steps towards recovery. From emergency rescues and first aid support, to clothes and food, shelter and housing, our team deployed help to thousands of people in need. 

• Rescues (documented): 164
• Evacuations (documented): 128
• Sandbags: 669,000 (includes 4,000 pre-filled bags)
• Shelters: At the event’s height, 15 shelters registered 394 people for a total of 1,083 overnight stays.
• Meals & Snacks Given: 60,512
• Clean-up Kits: 4,600
• Comfort Kits: 3,015
• Flood Kits: 700
• Cases of Water: 1,234 

• The day the storm hit, Governor Eric Greitens deployed the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri National Guard, Missouri Task Force 1, and swift water rescue teams on land, water, and sky to protect Missourians.

• The state worked with faith-based and volunteer organizations to hold 15 Multi-Agency Resource Centers in areas heavily affected by the flooding and provided face to face assistance on services and programs to more than 1,200 Missouri families.

• The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) held a flood recovery conference with agriculture organizations to help connect Missouri farmers with information and resources. The MDA also replaced 1,400+ land surveys that were damaged by the flood.

• The Missouri Department of Corrections deployed aid to areas throughout the state with dozens of staff and 191 offenders helping with sandbagging efforts.

• The Missouri Department of Economic Development awarded $328,000 to the community action agency network to assist families with housing needs. Additionally, AmeriCorps volunteers and partners muck and gutted over 30 homes.

• The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services moved 2,200+ doses of the tetanus vaccines to the affected areas and assisted local public health agencies with needs. The department also worked to ensure contaminated and damaged foods are disposed of and sent 1,200+ drinking water collection kits.

• The Missouri Department of Insurance issued a request to Missouri insurers asking that coverage remain in effect for any Missourians residing in an affected county and to allow for out-of-network healthcare costs to remain at the same rate for in-network healthcare costs.

• The Missouri Department of Labor helped 369 Missourians file unemployment claims who lost their jobs due to no fault of their own, which will help those eligible receive weekly payments to help care for their families until they find full-time work.

• The Missouri Department of Mental Health assisted 725 Missourians who were in need of medication or trauma relief as a result of the horrific experience and loss.  

• The Missouri Department of Natural Resources was given the authority to suspend certain regulations and rules relating to the disposal of yard waste and burning of woody vegetation as well as issued 13 boil orders to the affected counties.

• The Missouri Department of Public Safety implemented a severe weather/flash flooding response plan and seamlessly transitioned to recovery operations once the threat to life and safety diminished. DPS dispatched troopers on land, water, and air and rescued 164 people as well as evacuated 128 others. Additionally, more than 760 Guardsmen supported state response through a number of areas including traffic control points, emergency debris removal, and wellness visits. DPS and partners supplied 22 pallets of water and bagged more than 669,000 sand bags.

• The Missouri Department of Social Services helped set up offices for citizens for complete FEMA paperwork and connected 1,080+ households with food and healthcare assistance.

• The Missouri Department of Revenue issued an extension for tax return filings and payments and waived vehicles title penalty fees related to flooding.

• The Missouri Department of Transportation is working to fix damaged roads and bridges in 320 locations. Of the 384 state roads that were closed due to flooding, the department has been able to open 364.  

• Yesterday, Gov. Eric Greitens requested that President Donald J. Trump approve a major disaster declaration for Missouri that would provide federal assistance to a total of 51 counties in response to historic and devastating flooding that began April 28. If and when a federal declaration is made, the state will take immediate action to deploy additional services to Missourians and communities in need. To find out more, click here.

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