Missouri National Guard sent to southern Missouri

POPLAR BLUFF— The Missouri National Guard has been called in to help residents of southern Missouri hit by the recent ice storm.

About 150 Guard members will be going door-to-door to check on residents, taking stranded residents to shelters and helping out with power generation and clearing emergency routes.

Several counties in southern and southeast Missouri were affected by the storm that hit early this week. The Guard has sent officers to Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Scott and Stoddard counties to assess needs.

President Barack Obama on Friday approved a request for a federal emergency declaration in Missouri. The declaration allows federal aid to begin flowing to Missouri communities.

The storm knocked out power to more than 100,000 Missouri homes and businesses.