Several dozen state workers are heading to Florida to assist with relief projects due to Hurricane Irma.

More than 50 MoDOT employees and 18 Missouri State Parks employees from throughout the state are heading to Florida this week.

Over the weekend, The State of Florida requested assistance from other states.

On Tuesday morning, Missouri crews deployed from Sikeston, heading to Tallahassee, FL, to receive their work orders.

MoDOT says the crews are taking a variety of equipment with them, such as loaders, road tractors, backhoes, chainsaws, and trucks. Their primary responsibility will be debris removal from roadways. A press release from MoDOT says the crews are prepared to be out of state for up to two weeks.

In addition, the Missouri State Parks teams will be working in some of Florida’s state parks, cleaning up fallen trees and other debris left by the Category-4 storm. According to preliminary reports, 168 of the state’s 174 state parks have been closed due to storm damage. Two MO State Park Rangers are also providing asset security during the deployment.

“I’m so proud of the outpouring of volunteers for this mission. However, I am not surprised,” said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. “We have great employees who continue to step up and show true dedication to serving others.”

MoDNR Director Carol S. Comer added, “Our Missouri State Park staff are trained to handle natural disasters cleanups and were quick to volunteer and help in any way they could. I wish the crew safe travels and can’t thank them enough for generously giving their time to those in need.”

Courtesy of MoDOT
Courtesy of MoDOT
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