28 June 2008

Update from Major David Miller, MOWG/PAD

- The City of Winfield, Missouri, lost its prolonged fight against the flood when their secondary levee thrown together yesterday quickly by the National Guard and Corps of Engineers after the breach of the Pin Oak levee failed earlier this morning at approx. 4:30 am. Four foot high "Hesco" barriers filled with sand hand been placed with additional sandbags on top along a 2.5 mile section attempting to protect the southeast part of Winfield. 100 additional homes in Winfield will now be flooded. Highway 79, a main artery from St. Charles and St. Louis, is impassable due to water in several places.

- Lincoln County EOC subsequently demobilized at noon today. No further activity now occurring at Winfield High School so our Winfield Base has been stood down. However, the communication center remains on site and active, coordinating communication with our aircraft.

- Twice daily aircraft sorties continue on behalf of SEMA. The AM sortie this morning left early at approx. 0800 to photograph and document the extent of the flooding in Winfield due to the second levee breach. To date, more than 2,000 photos have been taken. 2d Lt. Scott Schwab (Gateway Senior Squadron) uploaded 60 photos to WMIRS yesterday.

- To date we've flown 28 sorties in support of the flood relief, including photo recon and aircraft/aircrew transport missions, for a total of more than 70 flight hours representing more than 320 man hours served.

- Today, Saturday 28 June 2008, is our twelfth (12th) day in direct support of flood relief efforts.

- SEMA Situation Report updated this morning.

- Sandbagging efforts appear to have stabilized the situation in north St. Charles county. No further need for CAP liaison to the St. Charles County EOC.

- Op tempo significantly decreased with the demobilization of the Lincoln County EOC and liaison end with St. Charles County EOC. While our local ground support is on hold at the moment, air activity (including the processing of photos) supporting SEMA continues.

V/R,
David

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