27 June 2008

Update from Major David Miller, MOWG/PAD

- The Pin Oak levee protecting Winfield breached in two places early this morning. A secondary 5 mile long sandbag levee is being placed now by the National Guard to attempt to protect the town of Winfield. Operations have begun again at the Winfield High School one day earlier than previously planned due to the levee breach. 1,000 tons of sand have been delivered with another 1,000 tons on its way for later today. Hundreds of volunteers are arriving at Winfield High School to assist, as well as more evacuees to the Red Cross shelter.

- Winfield Base was immediately stood back up with Capt. Larry Maxfield (Cuivre River Comp. Squadron) arriving on scene earlier this morning. 1Lt Tim Mohr (St. Louis Comp. Squadron 1 and Group II Assistant Emergency Services Officer) has initiated the alert tree to rally CAP personnel immediately to Winfield to assist with sandbagging, traffic control, and continued communications with our CAP aircraft.

- Our AM sortie was off the ground this morning two hours earlier than usual at approx. 0900 with immediate over-flight of the new flooding in Winfield. Arrangements made to land at local airport in Troy, Missouri, approx. 10 miles west of Winfield and transfer photos immediately to the Lincoln County EOC.

- Sandbagging activities continue in north St. Charles county near the Elm Pointe levee that breached yesterday. 400 tons of sand processed yesterday by 200 volunteers and 75 national guard soldiers, sandbagging remains ongoing especially in the towns of Portage des Sioux and West Alton.

- Two sorties flown yesterday without incident. State Representative Jake Zimmerman, member of the Missouri Wing Legislative Squadron, participated in the morning sortie and was also flown over his district on the return trip.

- Governor Blunt to tour Winfield today at 1500 hours with press conference afterwards. CAP unable to provide color guard this time due to reduced staffing from the emergency callout this morning.

- SEMA Situation Report continues to be updated on a daily basis.

- Lt. Col. Larry Kuban (St. Louis Comp. Squadron 1 and Group II Assistant PAO) continues to assist with PAO duties, especially direct media contacts, communication and follow-ups. Updated media kits to be distributed to local media.


V/R,
David

David A. Miller, Maj, CAP
Asst. PAO, MOWG