Parson orders 100 National Guard members to Florida for Hurricane Milton response  

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday ordered 100 Missouri National Guard members to head to Florida to aid the state in relief efforts after Hurricane Milton hits.

Parson made the announcement in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, and a press release. Additionally, 15 Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers will be dispatched, as well as “six civilians with the technical expertise, equipment, and supplies,” the release says. Five SEMA members will also head to Florida.

"Missouri always stands ready to assist our fellow states in need, and as Governor Ron DeSantis and the people of Florida brace for one of the strongest and potentially most destructive hurricanes in recent memory, Missouri will be there to help them respond and recover," Parson said in a press release. "We will continue to assess how best Missouri can assist Florida in response to this hurricane and other states recently impacted by Hurricane Helene. In the meantime, Teresa and I are praying for Americans who have been displaced by Helene and the safety of the people of Florida as Milton approaches landfall."

After the hurricane passes, responders will be in Florida for a period of five-to-20 days, the release says. Extensions and additional deployments could occur, the release says. The cost of the deployment is estimated at $1.6 million, according to the release.

Today, in response to a request from the State of Florida, I have ordered 100 @Missouri_NG members, 21 @MSHPTrooperGHQ Troopers and civilian support staff, and five @MoSEMA_ MO DMAT-1 members to Florida to aid Hurricane Milton response efforts. https://t.co/xj8tMVBdxI pic.twitter.com/OqzGH6Lcl3

— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) October 9, 2024