Missouri House Speaker Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, announced this week the creation of the House Interim Committee on Disaster Recovery in response to several recent natural disasters.

“With the flooding in southeast Missouri and the massive tornado that hit Joplin, the tornado in St. Louis and flooding in Southeast Missouri we need to know where we stand and what needs to be done to get Missourians back on their feet,” Tilley stated in a news release. “This committee will be tasked with creating a plan and seeing what we in the legislature can do to help.”

The mission of the committee will be to assess whether a special legislative session is necessary to address the needs of Joplin and communities in Southeast Missouri. The committee must report its findings to Tilley by July 31.

In addition, the committee will provide a report to the General Assembly by Dec. 31 detailing long-term recovery strategies and how the state can be better prepared for future natural disasters.

Tilley appointed Rep. Shane Schoeller, R-Willard, to serve as chairman of the committee.

“I am honored to be chosen to chair the Committee on Disaster Recovery as we look into the impacts of disasters on Missourians and how to best help them move towards a brighter future sooner rather than later,” Schoeller stated.

“While we do our best to have plans in place for the moments when tragedy strikes, the devastation in Joplin is one such event that could not have been foreseen in its impact and overall enormity,” Schoeller stated. “As we begin to help rebuild this community we need to look thoroughly into the effects this tragedy will have on the families, businesses, faith and civic organizations who call Joplin home. We also must ensure the state has a plan in place to help rather than hinder the process for any Missouri community that is trying to rebuild after suffering the effects of a natural disaster.”

In related news, Gov. Jay Nixon on Wednesday signed an executive order that directs the Missouri National Guard to coordinate and supervise the state’s efforts in preparing for and responding to imminent flooding along the Missouri River and its tributaries.

Nixon surveyed the flooding situation in northwest Missouri last week and met with local officials about flood preparations in St. Joseph. The governor also has been in regular communication with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the past two weeks.

“As we said last week, the risk of flooding is real and imminent,” Nixon stated. “Our preparations at the state level have been thorough, and our ongoing response will be robust. The National Guard will work directly with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies to ensure that from west to east, Missourians and their property are protected.”

Two colonels from the Missouri National Guard, Col. Greg Mason and Col. Wendul Hagler, will oversee two task forces that will coordinate flood preparation and response in the eastern and western portions of the state. Mason will lead Task Force Missouri, which will focus on the western portion of the state, while Hagler will lead Task Force Mississippi, which will focus on the east.

Additionally, Col. Mike Pankau, commander of the 139th Airlift Wing, will lead a separate task force which will focus specifically on flood preparations at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph and throughout Buchanan County.

“These proven leaders have the expertise and the experience to direct and execute this critical mission,” Nixon stated. “I have met personally with Col. Hagler, Col. Mason and Col. Pankau, and they have already begun to coordinate these vital efforts. We will provide the tools and support they need at every stage of this fight.”

Releases from major dams along the Missouri River, including at Gavins Point, are already higher than they have ever been. By the middle of this month, the Corps of Engineers will release 150,000 cubic feet of water per second from Gavins Point, which will be more than twice the amount the Corps has ever released before.

This flooding will pose significant risk to Missourians and their property, according to a news release.

“We are prepared. We are ready. And we will fight this flood across Missouri,” Nixon stated.

Missouri House Speaker Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, announced this week the creation of the House Interim Committee on Disaster Recovery in response to several recent natural disasters.

“With the flooding in southeast Missouri and the massive tornado that hit Joplin, the tornado in St. Louis and flooding in Southeast Missouri we need to know where we stand and what needs to be done to get Missourians back on their feet,” Tilley stated in a news release. “This committee will be tasked with creating a plan and seeing what we in the legislature can do to help.”

The mission of the committee will be to assess whether a special legislative session is necessary to address the needs of Joplin and communities in Southeast Missouri. The committee must report its findings to Tilley by July 31.

In addition, the committee will provide a report to the General Assembly by Dec. 31 detailing long-term recovery strategies and how the state can be better prepared for future natural disasters.

Tilley appointed Rep. Shane Schoeller, R-Willard, to serve as chairman of the committee.

“I am honored to be chosen to chair the Committee on Disaster Recovery as we look into the impacts of disasters on Missourians and how to best help them move towards a brighter future sooner rather than later,” Schoeller stated.

“While we do our best to have plans in place for the moments when tragedy strikes, the devastation in Joplin is one such event that could not have been foreseen in its impact and overall enormity,” Schoeller stated. “As we begin to help rebuild this community we need to look thoroughly into the effects this tragedy will have on the families, businesses, faith and civic organizations who call Joplin home. We also must ensure the state has a plan in place to help rather than hinder the process for any Missouri community that is trying to rebuild after suffering the effects of a natural disaster.”

In related news, Gov. Jay Nixon on Wednesday signed an executive order that directs the Missouri National Guard to coordinate and supervise the state’s efforts in preparing for and responding to imminent flooding along the Missouri River and its tributaries.

Nixon surveyed the flooding situation in northwest Missouri last week and met with local officials about flood preparations in St. Joseph. The governor also has been in regular communication with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the past two weeks.

“As we said last week, the risk of flooding is real and imminent,” Nixon stated. “Our preparations at the state level have been thorough, and our ongoing response will be robust. The National Guard will work directly with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies to ensure that from west to east, Missourians and their property are protected.”

Two colonels from the Missouri National Guard, Col. Greg Mason and Col. Wendul Hagler, will oversee two task forces that will coordinate flood preparation and response in the eastern and western portions of the state. Mason will lead Task Force Missouri, which will focus on the western portion of the state, while Hagler will lead Task Force Mississippi, which will focus on the east.

Additionally, Col. Mike Pankau, commander of the 139th Airlift Wing, will lead a separate task force which will focus specifically on flood preparations at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph and throughout Buchanan County.

“These proven leaders have the expertise and the experience to direct and execute this critical mission,” Nixon stated. “I have met personally with Col. Hagler, Col. Mason and Col. Pankau, and they have already begun to coordinate these vital efforts. We will provide the tools and support they need at every stage of this fight.”

Releases from major dams along the Missouri River, including at Gavins Point, are already higher than they have ever been. By the middle of this month, the Corps of Engineers will release 150,000 cubic feet of water per second from Gavins Point, which will be more than twice the amount the Corps has ever released before.

This flooding will pose significant risk to Missourians and their property, according to a news release.

“We are prepared. We are ready. And we will fight this flood across Missouri,” Nixon stated.