Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: May 8, 2007

Ag Department Encourages Farmers to Take Immediate Action to Prepare for Flooding

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – The Missouri Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers across the state to monitor the flooding situation occurring near and around the Missouri River and take immediate action to move any livestock or equipment.

Recent rains across the state have filled rivers and streams and saturated the ground causing concern for severe flooding along the Missouri River and its tributaries. Flooding forecasts show that as the river levels continue to rise different areas will be affected throughout the rest of this week and next week.

“We are concerned with the impact that the recent and future flooding can have on Missouri’s rural communities and farmland,” said Matt Boatright, acting director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. “We are asking farmers and producers to take every precautionary measure possible for the safety of their families and their livestock and equipment.”

Yesterday, Gov. Matt Blunt declared a state of emergency enacting the state’s Emergency Operations Center to assist with key resource needs.

“Many are already experiencing flooding on their farmland,” said Boatright. “It is expected that many more farmers and producers will see flooding in the upcoming days.”

River levels are expected to continue to rise above flood stage along counties and areas bordering the Missouri River. To view more information regarding river levels in your area, visit the National Weather Services Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service at http://www.weather.gov/ahps/. Click on a purple shaded box in the Missouri region for specific information.

For more information, please contact (573) 526-9172.

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