These past few days have undoubtedly taken a toll in the 16th District. With the confirmed loss of a child and the presumed loss of his mother, the emotional toll of the local flooding is heavy. Along with homes and businesses that have suffered severe damage, at this point all we can do is look to the future and plan for cleaning up our communities.
I would like to thank and commend the governor for his swift reaction in declaring a state of emergency. His action allows state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions in order to get assistance where it is needed most in a timely manner.
There are many other people who also need to be commended. Everyone from the National Guardsmen, state law enforcement, local law enforcement and elected officials are doing an excellent job protecting our communities. Mostly, I would especially like to praise our neighbors for helping out the many friends, family and community members in need. With rain still coming and water levels still rising in some places, the focus remains on rescue and protection. As the waters recede, we will shift our focus to rebuilding.
The American Red Cross continues to offer a shelter to those displaced from homes or in need at the St. Robert Community Center, located at 114 J.H. Williamson Dr. in St. Robert, Mo.
For more detailed information about the dangers of flooding, tips on how to be safe around flood waters, as well as resources for helping your neighbors, filing insurance claims or just moving forward from the devastation, please visit the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s State Emergency Management Agency website at www.sema.dps.mo.gov.
Always feel free to contact me throughout the year with any comments, questions, or issues by calling my office at (573) 751-5713 or by visiting my website at www.senate.mo.gov/brown.
Thank you for reading this column and for your participation in state government. |
