KC Reporter

Today, Missouri received notification from Florida that the assistance previously offered by the Missouri National Guard and Department of Public Safety for Hurricane Milton response is no longer needed. Governor Mike Parson had announced preparations to deploy resources to aid Florida, but with the hurricane proving less impactful than expected, Florida canceled its Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request.

"While Missouri was ready and willing to assist our fellow Americans in Florida, we are relieved that Hurricane Milton proved to be less destructive than previously expected and that the State of Florida already has the necessary resources to respond," Governor Parson stated. He added that he and his wife Teresa would keep those affected in North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida in their thoughts as recovery efforts continue.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management communicated with states responding to the EMAC request, expressing gratitude for their readiness but noting that recent developments were not as severe as anticipated. The state now believes it can manage with its existing resources.

A specialist from the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), focusing on donations and volunteer management, will still be deploying to Florida under a separate EMAC request. No resources from MONG or DPS were en route before receiving notice of the cancellation. Currently, Missouri has no direct EMAC requests related to Hurricanes Helene or Milton but remains open to future requests.

Those interested in aiding hurricane victims are encouraged to donate through trusted disaster relief organizations like the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. Financial contributions are recommended as they provide flexibility for addressing urgent needs quickly. For supply donations, individuals should verify high-need items and locations beforehand.