The last time that Missouri saw such severe flooding was in 1993, according to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.
"It's very clear that Missouri is in the midst of a very historic and dangerous flooding event," he said, according to NBC News. "The amount of rain we've received, in some places in excess of a foot, has caused river levels not only to rise rapidly but to go places they've never been before."
A state of emergency was declared on Monday by Nixon. Then on Tuesday, the National Guard was called in to assist with evacuations and secure neighborhoods impacted by the flooding. The Mississippi River has been pushed over the levees in the greater St. Louis area. Other rivers in the area are also rising and have not yet crested. Union, Missouri is partly underwater. Over 500 roads are closed
Missouri is not the only state that has been impacted by the massive flooding from winter storms. Other states that are in turmoil range from Illinois to Texas. Though much of the rain has been falling in Missouri since Saturday, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, said, "Flooding on the middle portion of the Mississippi River and its tributaries may reach levels not seen during the winter months since records began during the middle 1800s," At this time, the Mississippi River is expected to crest at 49.7 feet in Chester, Illinois on Friday.
Samaritan's Purse has sent out teams to many areas in the south and the central United States in response to both the flooding and tornados that ripped across many areas beginning on Christmas Eve. So far, 41 people have lost their lives nationwide. The organization has sent out experts who can assess the situation in affected areas such as Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas to name just a few areas; then supplies are brought in by the most practical means.
Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham said that "These storms have devastated hundreds of families in Texas and Mississippi.Our hearts go out to those whose lives have been turned upside down this Christmas season. We are praying for the victims, and want to come alongside to help and share God's love with them in their time of need."
The Billy Graham organization has been working alongside Samaritan's Purse by sending out Chaplains who will provide spiritual and emotional care for those who need it.
One company that is doing what it can to try to help out with what has become a multi-state disaster is Chick-fil-A. The restaurant is not usually open on Sundays, but this past Sunday, several restaurants cooked and supplied meals for flood victims and volunteer rescue workers.
