Nixon tours iced-over counties by air, visits Sikeston

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon toured storm-damaged Southeast Missouri counties Thursday and spoke to those affected by the widespread power outages.

Nixon surveyed the damage with more than a dozen other people on board a helicopter. Fog prevented Nixon from landing in Sikeston, but the helicopter set down in Cape Girardeau, and those on board drove farther south to Sikeston's public safety headquarters.

"We'll do whatever it takes. We're here to support you all in what you do," Nixon said.

Later, Nixon made a short stop at the Sikeston Fieldhouse, which is being used as a warming station for those without power.

"Everybody is really pulling together," Scott County Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said as he shook the governor's hand when Nixon arrived at the shelter.

During the brief visit, Nixon visited with a few of those using the warming shelter and also got a briefing from Sherri Bethold, shelter supervisor with the Red Cross.

As Nixon passed two ladies walking out the door, he patted their shoulders and cautioned "be careful out there." He asked others how long they had been at the shelter and about their situations.

Mayor Mike Marshall said he had "a pretty good two-minute talk with the governor."

The governor has asked the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Missouri counties hurt by the weather.

About 150 Missouri National Guard soldiers were clearing roads in Charleston, Portageville and Sikeston. They also were going door to door in Ripley, Dunklin and Butler counties, and in Sikeston and Malden, to make sure residents had enough supplies and were able to get to aid.

Joy Cauthorn, coordinator of emergency preparedness for the Missouri Delta Medical Center, said the hospital had requested more nurses and emergency room doctors from elsewhere in the region.

"We are inundated with patients at this point. It's beginning to be a big issue," she said.

More than anything, Marshall said, the winter storm has been a good test for earthquake response, with a lot of the same issues -- downed power lines, limbs down and widespread loss of electricity.

"And we've got to get a lot more practice and preparation in before we're ready for that," said Marshall, noting an earthquake will likely result in more injuries due to falling structures. "We are not ready for an earthquake by a long shot, and we better get ready."

He and city councilman Michael Bohannon spent much of the day Wednesday and Thursday driving around town to locate and pick up people in need of shelter. "Some we just saw out on the streets," he said.

He said more volunteers are needed to do that now and in future emergencies. There will also need to be more coordination to provide warm meals for those in the shelters.

"We're better than this," Marshall said.

He said he will make it a point to urge city council members to plan for disasters, even after his term as mayor ends later this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.