Gov. Matt Blunt activates Missouri National Guard

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As Hurricane Rita edged toward the already battered Gulf Coast, Gov. Matt Blunt on Friday activated the state's National Guard.

Blunt also issued a state of emergency for Missouri, freeing up more state agencies and money for hurricane relief.

"The Gulf Coast is once again in harm's way as Hurricane Rita is approaching the Texas and Louisiana coasts," Blunt said in a news release. "I pledged that Missouri will continue to help with the recovery efforts of Hurricane Katrina and we will, of course, offer any assistance necessary as a result of Hurricane Rita."