Missouri Activates National Guard Ahead of Winter Storm

If you question how serious the incoming winter storm is, consider the fact that the state of Missouri has decided to activate the National Guard ahead of its arrival this weekend.

I caught wind of this as someone on the Missouri sub-Reddit mentioned that 180 Missouri National Guard members were being activated. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe issued an executive order making sure the National Guard is ready for helping those impacted by the dangerous winter storm. Here's a snippet of the language in the executive order that's just been issued:

"WHEREAS, I have been advised by the State Emergency Management Agency that the ongoing and forecast severe winter storm systems have caused, or have the potential to cause, damages associated with freezing rain, snow, sleet, and extremely low temperatures, impacting communities throughout the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, the severe winter storm systems reaching Missouri on January 23, 2026, and continuing have created a condition of distress and hazard to the safety, welfare, and property of the people of the State of Missouri beyond the capabilities of some local jurisdictions and other established agencies"

Governor Kehoe said that the Missouri National Guard will be active to "help relieve the condition of distress and hazard to the safety and welfare of our fellow Missourians". Distress is definitely a possibility as parts of southern Missouri especially are in danger of power outages due to ice that will begin impacting the state early Saturday and continuing through Sunday afternoon. While the hope is that many will avoid travel during the storm, that's not always possible so the National Guard being at the ready could help any stranded motorists that might be in danger from sub-zero wind chills and cold.