JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – With almost 200 roads closed in Missouri in light of severe flooding, 2-1-1 service is now available through the state for Missourians who need information and referrals.
Though 9-1-1 service is not available throughout all of Missouri, 2-1-1 now available throughout as state agencies continue to work together to manage the flooding.
The State Emergency Operations Center has been actively monitoring the storm system, and the Governor’s Office has been receiving updates from his emergency management team to assess the current weather situation and address local needs. The team includes senior officials from the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri National Guard, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the State Emergency Management Agency. The Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan also has been activated, allowing state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to provide emergency services.
2-1-1 is a telephone resource service generally offered by the United Way, partnering with local United Way chapters. Quarterly, the service averages over 20,000 calls in times without a disaster declaration. Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information, and referrals are urged by the Governor to call 2-1-1.
Gov. Jay Nixon made the emergency declaration on Sunday. At least 8 people have died due to the flooding.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.