Most Missouri Guardsmen, women return home after flood fight

A railroad bridge is nearly covered by water from the Meramec River during historic flooding in Valley Park on December 31, 2015. Flooding statewide from three straight days of rain has caused evacuations, road closures and fourteen deaths. Photo courtesy Missourinet

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri National Guard says more than 600 of its troops are returning home after responding to flooding, although a small number will continue helping.

Gov. Jay Nixon called on the Guard to help last month with flood-fighting efforts as rivers and streams rose to record levels in some areas. The guard members were used to assist first responders in providing security in evacuated areas, and to help direct traffic away from road closures.

Adjutant Gen. Steve Danner said in a news release that the Guard has moved into the next phase of the mission. A recovery task force of 25 Guardsmen and women will supervise and coordinate debris removal in eastern Missouri.

Danner says the Guard was involved in debris removal efforts after the deadly Joplin tornado in 2011.