(Jefferson City, MO) -- Today's severe storms across southern Missouri prompted Govenor Nixon to declare a state of emergency.

 The declaration means the state's Emergency Operations Plan goes into effect and the Emergency Operations Center in Jefferson City is open to help coordinate responses.

"My primary concern is the safety of Missourians and this executive order makes state agency resources available to help communities respond to the storms," Nixon said in a statement released by his office.

The executive order means several state agencies can now be activated to help counties and towns.  Those agencies include:
Missouri Department of Public Safety, State Emergency Management Agency, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri State Water Patrol, Division of Fire Safety, Department of Agriculture, Department of Conservation, Department of Corrections, Department of Health and Senior Services, Department of Mental Health, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Social Services, Department of Transportation and the Office of Administration.

Three deaths are reported in Missouri as a result of the storms.  Ted Agee, 61, of rural Dallas County was killed when his house was destroyed by high winds.  Two other deaths happened in Poplar Bluff, when a tree fell on a car.