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FOR PRESS INQUIRIES, CONTACT:  Scott Holste or Sam Murphey (573) 751-0290
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 11, 2011

Gov. Jay Nixon, Vice President Biden tour tornado damage in St. Louis County

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon traveled to St. Louis County today to tour a community that was hit hard by tornadoes last month. The Governor will meet Vice President Joe Biden at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, and then travel with the Vice President to tour storm damage in Berkeley.

In Berkeley, Gov. Nixon and the Vice President will tour homes directly impacted by the storms and meet with local officials and families. Immediately after the tour, Gov. Nixon will return to the Capitol to resume work on legislative priorities.

"On Easter Weekend, tornadoes ripped through St. Louis County and other parts of Missouri, causing severe damage and destruction," Gov. Nixon said. "Thankfully, because of early warnings communicated by state and local law enforcement, not a single life was lost in our state. We appreciate the close coordination and cooperation we have seen with our federal emergency partners, and it is an honor to host Vice President Biden today as we discuss strategies to recover and rebuild."

Gov. Nixon personally toured the damage in Berkeley on Saturday, April 23, one day after the storms. The night of the storms, April 22, Gov. Nixon declared a state of emergency in Missouri and activated the State Emergency Management Plan, which allows state agencies to assist local jurisdictions with their emergency response. In addition to Berkeley, the tornadoes also affected Ferguson, Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, at St. Ann in St. Louis County; New Melle in St. Charles County; and facilities at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

Earlier this week, President Barack Obama issued a disaster declaration for jurisdictions in Missouri affected by the tornadoes and recent flooding, including St. Louis County.

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