30 National Guard soldiers mobilized to Cape, Bollinger counties

Thirty National Guard soldiers were mobilized late Wednesday by Gov. Matt Blunt to assist Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties recover from the ice storm that coated the region in four to six inches of sleet and snow.

The guard soldiers will begin their work Thursday morning doing door-to-door checks on the welfare of area residents in the hardest-hit communities.

"Missourians can be proud of our National Guard for their tireless efforts in every mission they undertake to protect the safety of our citizens," Blunt said.

The guard already assigned liaison officers to the two counties as emergency officials work to assist residents.

The mission was authorized through executive order by the governor on Tuesday, the governor's office said in prepared statement. The governor also issued an executive order that a state of emergency existed as a result of the storm.

For updates, check back at semissourian.com or read Thursday's Southeast Missourian.