Nixon requests disaster declaration for February blizzard

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon requested a major disaster declaration on March 1 for the state of Missouri from President Barack Obama, as a result of the severe winter storm that hit the state on Jan. 31-Feb. 1. The storm deposited up to 23 inches of snow in the state, closed I-70 between St. Louis and Kansas City and I-44 from Springfield to Oklahoma, and saddled local and state governments with costs estimated at more than $14 million for removal of the record or near-record snowfall.

"The Blizzard of 2011 created dangerous white-out conditions, forced the closure of interstates, and left many of the state's roads impassable for several days," Gov. Nixon said. "I am asking the President to issue a major disaster declaration so that communities burdened with the extremely high costs for emergency protective measures and snow removal can recover some of their expenditures."

The Governor's request follows joint damage assessments conducted by local, state and federal officials at the request of 64 counties. The assessments show that from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5, the estimated cost of the response and recovery efforts in those counties exceeded $14 million.

Nixon's request for public assistance is for the following counties: Adair, Andrew, Audrain, Barton, Bates, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Camden, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Chariton, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Dade, Dallas, DeKalb, Grundy, Henry, Hickory, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Knox, Laclede, Lafayette, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Madison, Maries, Marion, McDonald, Miller, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Pettis, Pike, Platte, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, St Clair, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, Sullivan, Vernon and Worth. The governor's request noted that of these counties, 52 had record or near-record snow accumulations from the storm.

In advance of the historic storm, Gov. Nixon on Jan. 31 declared a state of emergency for all of Missouri. The order activated the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, which allowed state agencies to assist local jurisdictions with emergency preparation and response.

The governor also activated 600 members of the Missouri National Guard on Jan. 31 before the storm hit, so they were deployed around the state to provide help where it was needed most, and directed that emergency generators be pre-positioned around the state. That same day, the Missouri State Highway Patrol positioned four-wheel drive vehicles to maximize response capabilities. Guard members assisted stranded motorists and transported emergency response personnel over snow-packed roads to assist those with life-safety needs across the state for several days.

The impact the storm had on many Missouri counties was so significant that the governor ordered the Missouri Department of Transportation to assist local jurisdictions with clearing roads so that critical life-safety services could be restored.