Reporting from KXCV's Kirk Wayman was used in this report.
The Missouri National Guard is now involved in flood preparations along the Missouri River, which is expected to overflow levees at points across the state for at least the next month.
The Army Corps of Engineers has scheduled a series of releases in South Dakota starting this week that will bring water flows into the Missouri River up to twice the amount of previous releases.
Coordinating with state and local emergency officials today in St. Joseph, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said communication with local cities and residents will be key.
"I think it’s important for folks to realize the size of water that’s coming and the potential here," Nixon said. "But I think our task over the next six to eight weeks is to stay resolved, to win this flood fight where we are, we have no one that loses their life, that property is protected, that we have no injuries, and that the water that’s here causes the least amount of challenges for folks. And getting this far out in front is I think an important step in that regard."
Sandbagging efforts along the Missouri have already started in the extreme northwest corner of the state, and counties around the Kansas City area have thousands of sandbags ready to be filled.
State emergency officials say all residents along the Missouri River to St. Charles county will be impacted during the next few weeks.
