In Our Hearts and Prayers - Update on Flooding in Southeast Missouri

The recent rain in Southeast Missouri has caused a spirited debate and a tough decision to be made on how to best deal with the rising waters. Last week, I worked with and supported Attorney General Koster's efforts as he and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources filed a federal lawsuit to stop the U.S. Corps of Engineers' plan to intentionally breach the levee in Birds Point in Mississippi County. After a federal judge refused to prevent the breach, I continued to support Attorney General Koster's efforts by appealing that decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

However, after exhausting all avenues to stop this move, on Monday night, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made the tough decision to blow the Birds Point levee in Mississippi County. And while I did not like the outcome of the judges' or the Army Corps of Engineers' decisions, I understand the complexity of relieving pressure on our waterways, rivers and lakes that were considered in the efforts to save populations like Cairo, Illinois.

The waters that were released Monday by the breech traveled 35 -- 40 miles through a floodway in Mississippi County toward New Madrid where Tuesday and Thursday two more levees were breached to continue the water's path to the Mississippi River. Army Corps of Engineer Major General Walsh has reported that this break in the levees has relieved pressure from upstream communities in Illinois and Kentucky.

These preparations before blowing the levee could not protect all valuables. The 130,000-acre floodway contains about 100 homes and some of the most prime farmland in the state. With agriculture as our number one industry in the state, the decision to blow the levee was certainly a difficult one. Crops grown in Southeast Missouri make up about 40 percent of the state's agriculture production, including crops grown in Cape Girardeau, Mississippi, Scott, New Madrid, Stoddard, Dunklin, Butler and Pemiscot counties. The damage incurred by these actions is unpredictable, and as the flood waters recede, we will discover the true destruction caused by these floods and the Army Corps of Engineers levee breaches.

Our area continues to face flood risks making it that much more important to continue the coordinated efforts going on in the state to keep Missourians safe and informed. I have been in communication with the governor, the Attorney General, State Emergency Management Association (SEMA), and Army Corps of Engineers throughout this process to ensure that every effort is being made to keep families in Southeast Missouri safe and cared for. This effort involves members of our National Guard, the American Red Cross, and a variety of state agencies. Officials are making sure that medical care, shelter, and food is available to those affected by the floods.

As we experience this tragedy together, there are number of places to turn to find assistance during the flood:

* The State Emergency Management Agency http://sema.dps.mo.gov/ will provide you with resources to help with flood recovery and information and contact information for specific cities and counties can be found at http://sema.dps.mo.gov/EMD%20List%20for%20Website%203-11.pdf

* The Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross has provided assistance for flood victims, providing shelter and necessities for those who have been affected by the storms. They are in need of volunteers and donations. You can find more information online at www.semoredcross.org or by calling (573) 335-9471.

* The United Way of Southeast Missouri is providing information on disaster assistance at http://www.unitedwayofsemo.org/Disaster%20Assistance.aspx

* The Salvation Army can be reached at 573-335-7000. They have clean-up kits, vouchers for their thrift stores, and a food pantry, as well as other resources.

* Information on what to do after a flood is available online at www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/fl_after. You can register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or going online at www.fema.gov as soon as possible. This will not obligate you to take advantage of any of the programs offered. It is simply the first step in determining what assistance individuals qualify for.

* Register with the Small Business Administration for business AND individual losses by calling 800-659-2955 or going online at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

I will continue to monitor the situation and communicate with state and emergency officials to keep you informed. And as the flood waters recede, we will come together as a community to support those affected by the floods. From the family evacuated from their home to the farmer now concerned about his livelihood, we will band together as neighbors to help each other and get through these tragic and drastic events.

Contact Me

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write to me at Jason Crowell; Missouri Senate; State Capitol; Jefferson City, MO 65101, or e-mail me at: jcrowell@senate.mo.gov or visit me on the web at www.senate.mo.gov/crowell.