EXECUTIVE ORDER
17-22

WHEREAS, I have been advised by the Director of the State Emergency Management Agency that the Territory of the Virgin Islands of the United States ("the Virgin Islands") is requesting assistance under the Emergency Mutual Assistance Compact ("EMAC") in response to Hurricane Maria, which will hit landfall on September 20, 2017; and

WHEREAS, the Virgin Islands requests that Missouri provide military support, both personnel and equipment, beginning September 23, 2017, and continuing; and

WHEREAS, on September 20, 2017, I directed the Missouri National Guard to initiate efforts to comply with the Virgin Islands' request pursuant to the EMAC; and

WHEREAS, the EMAC is designed to protect the safety and welfare of the citizens in the affected participating EMAC States, including United States territories; and

WHEREAS, protection of the safety and welfare of the United States citizens in the affected communities requires an invocation of the provisions of Section 44.415, RSMo., which provides for emergency mutual aid with other States, including United States territories, and Section 41.480, RSMo., which authorizes the Governor to call out the organized militia as he deems necessary to provide emergency relief to a distressed area in the event of earthquake, flood, tornado, or other actual or threatened public catastrophe.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ERIC R. GREITENS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 44.415, RSMo. and Section 41.480, RSMo., do hereby declare that Missouri will implement the EMAC with the Virgin Islands to provide emergency relief, aid, and assistance cleaning up damage resulting from Hurricane Maria, and I do hereby direct the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency to activate the EMAC plan.

I further order and direct the Adjutant General of the State of Missouri, or his designee, to forthwith call and order into active service such portions of the organized militia as he deems necessary to aid the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, to protect life and property, and it is further ordered and directed that the Adjutant General or his designee, and through him, the commanding officer of any unit or other organization of such organized militia so called into active service take such action and employ such equipment as may be necessary in support of civilian authorities, and provide such assistance as may be authorized and directed by the Governor of this State.

This order shall terminate on October 23, 2017, unless extended in whole or in part.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 20th day of September, 2017.

[Eric R. Greitens's signature]
Eric R. Greitens
Governor

ATTEST:

[Jay Ashcroft's signature]
John R. Ashcroft
Secretary of State

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