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 over the next several days 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 will rise above flood stage during the next 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 has continued to fall in Missouri, and will 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 have 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 opened.  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 (24/7).  FEMA activated to a level 3 24/7 response as well.  FEMA notified EPA that they were issuing a Mission Assignment (MA) to mobilize to FEMA RRCC and perform ESF #10 functions.

1.1.1 Incident Category

Stafford Act response

1.1.2 Site Description

EPA has been given a total of 3 ESF 10 (Hazardous Materials) Mission Assignments from FEMA to respond to the FEMA RRCC, the FEMA JFO, and for ESF#10 operations.

1.1.2.1 Location

FEMA RRCC in Kansas City is ramping down and the FEMA JFO in St. Louis is ramping up.  The initial ESF#10 operations will be based from the St. Louis metropolitan area.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Flooding in Missouri

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results.

Continued coordination with MDNR

2.1.1 Narrative

FEMA has issued a mission assignment to EPA to staff the ESF#10 desk at the FEMA RRCC, the FEMA JFO, and to conduct ESF#10 operations for HHW and orphan containers.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

As of January 4, 2016

MDNR:

MDNR continues to report sightings of orphan containers/drums in the eastern part of the state.  EPA and MDNR are working closely together to establish staging locations and to prepare for the Mission Assignment tasks. 

FEMA RRCC

USACE debris task force arrived to the RRCC on January 3, 2015 to prepare for a debris removal mission assignment in the St. Louis area. A debris task force was formed, members are: USACE, EPA, FEMA, MDNR.

FEMA has issued a amended Mission Assignment to EPA to increase the funding for support to FEMA.

Weather Report:

Flood waters are receding in most areas.

3 day forecast - Light precipitation is forecasted Wed through Sat (1/6/16 - 1/9/16)

Approximately 83 road closures.  6 levees are overtopped.

15 flood related fatalities, 1 missing person.

Meramec River:

Pacific and Eureka are out of flood stage.

Valley Park and Arnold is falling out of flood stage.

Mississippi River:

St Louis is dropping 

Chester is cresting

Cape Girardeau has crested and is now dropping.

New Madrid is rising, should crest this coming week.

Other news:

Shelters are closing, currently there are 4 open

Missouri is the only state in the region currently activated.

As of January 5, 2016 

One EPA OSC has moved from the FEMA RRCC in Kansas City to the FEMA JFO in St. Louis.  Three EPA OSCs have mobilized to St. Louis to meet up with 4 MDNR OSCs to plan upcoming operations and establish staging areas for the operations.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Staff the FEMA JFO and provide assistance as needed to the state.

Assess and recon flooded areas to begin HHW and Orphan drum and container operations.

The Region 7 REOC was activated to assist with all field operations.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Establish staging locations and coordinate with the state on HHW and orphan container collection and recovery operations.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Conduct pre-sampling of staging areas once access agreements have been established.

2.2.2 Issues

2.5.1 Safety Officer
Each of the EPA OSCs will act as safety officers during the initial setup stage of this assignment.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer

2.5.3 Information Officer

An EPA information officer from the Kansas City Regional office is coordinating with the disaster related JIC.

3.1 Unified Command
FEMA, EPA, and MDNR

3.2 Cooperating Agencies