For Missouri, the natural disasters just keep coming.
Tornadoes on New Year’s Eve. Blizzards in January. Strong storms that savaged St. Louis’ airport in April. The deadly Joplin tornado in May.
And now, fears of massive summertime floods from northwest Missouri all the way to the Bootheel that could rival those of 1993.
In the eye of all these storms is Gov. Jay Nixon, who has issued 18 executive orders related to one emergency response or another in 2011, and is drawing rave reviews for his handling of recovery efforts — even from political opponents.
“I don’t agree with many of the things he supports. But one of the things I can say is he’s been here in support of the citizens of Joplin. It’s been phenomenal,” said state Rep. Charlie Davis, a Webb City Republican whose district was one of two damaged by the Joplin twister.
Eighteen days after the devastating storm, Nixon remains an almost daily presence in the city. From coordinating debris pickup to helping plan the May 29 memorial service with President Barack Obama, Nixon’s involvement has been broad and deep.
Read the complete story at kansascity.com