On Saturday, December 26, 2015, FEMA Watch Operations sent an advisory for heavy rains and flooding. The Regional Watch Team stated the potential for heavy rains across parts of Missouri and southeast Kansas. The December 26 forecast was for 2 to 6 inches of rain falling generally south of a line from Hannibal, Missouri to Kansas City to Chanute, Kansas. Most of this area has received several periods of rain over the past month. It was reported that rainfall of this amount will likely cause flooding of area waterways. The National Weather Service predicted that numerous river gauges would rise above flood stage during the coming week. A flash flood watch was posted for this area.
On the morning of Sunday, December 27, 2015 the Regional Watch Center reported that rain continued to fall in Missouri and would fall into the evening hours. Flooding has impacted southwest Missouri and areas have begun evacuations.
On Monday, December 28, 2015 the Governor of Missouri issued a State of Emergency in response to the heavy rains and flooding that occurred over a large part of the state. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) was activated to a Level 1 – control center only. Five Red Cross shelters were open. About 9,800 customers had lost power. Interstates and local roads have been closed in flooded areas.
On Monday, December 28, 2015 EPA began communicating with Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) and US Coast Guard (USCG) regarding flood issues, specifically the risk to the Birds Point Levee in New Madrid, Missouri.
On December 30, 2015 MDNR SEOC activated to a Level 3 24 hour/7 day response. FEMA activated to a Level 3 24/7 response. FEMA notified EPA that they were issuing a Mission Assignment (MA) to mobilize to FEMA RRCC and perform ESF #10 functions.
