County Commission Assesses Flood Damage

The McDonald County Commission has met multiple times in the previous month to conduct business, much of it centered around recent rain and the resulting washouts.

During the July 9 meeting, McDonald County Commission's Presiding Commissioner Keith Lindquist, Eastern Commissioner John Bunch, Emergency Management Director Greg Sweeten, and County Clerk Kimberly Bell met with the State Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess flood damage around the county.

At the request of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, teams of local, state, and federal disaster specialists are conducting preliminary damage assessments in 35 Missouri counties that were impacted by severe storms, heavy rains, flooding, and flash flooding that began on May 15 and are still continuing.

Preliminary damage assessments are designed to gather information about the disaster's impacts. They provide a big picture of the disaster and do not include detailed examination of every affected road or public building. State officials can use the survey information to determine whether disaster recovery is within the state's capabilities or whether federal disaster assistance may be needed. The teams are comprised of specialists familiar with evaluation of damage to various types of infrastructure, considering environmental and historic preservation impacts, and looking at mitigation opportunities to help communities rebuild stronger and more resilient to future disasters.

If the governor deems that the disaster response or recovery efforts require federal assistance, he can submit a request for aid to FEMA using the damage assessments and other pertinent information. The request is then forwarded to the White House to be decided upon by the president.

Highlights of other meetings are as follows:

June 24

Greg Sweeten met with the commission to discuss the roof of the Missouri Extension Office and a connecting building. Pineville and McDonald County will work together in repairing said roof.

June 29

The commission signed and approved accounts payable checks in the amount of $302,336.35.

July 1

Harry Owens met with the commission to request an increase in law enforcement presence during night and early morning hours on the road adjacent to Antioch Cemetery.

The commission informed Keith Gideon that Able Road is hereby closed as a public county road.

John Lafley, Mayor of Noel, called to ask when, how, and by whom will something be done about the washed-out bridge on Easy Street. The commission assured Mayor Lafley that they would meet with FEMA and contact him when they knew more.

July 6

Travis Meador met with the commission to discuss Crossing Road.

Mike Boze met with the commission to discuss Lummins Road.

July 10

Issued a public notice advising residents that the first bridge off of Sutter Hollow Road and Buffalo Creek Road has been closed indefinitely due to flooding. No resident will be able to travel through this bridge until further notice.

July 13

The Commission met with road and bridge foreman Jerry Mullins. Due to recent flooding, many concerned citizens were calling about clogged culverts as well as reporting damage to county roads and bridges. Mullins said his road crew had worked throughout the weekend and will continue to work to repair the flood's destruction.

Rhonda Reyes met with the commission to warn about an exposed water line before repairs began.

July 15

Signed and approved accounts payable checks in the amount of $27,661.55.

Issued Court Orders to Treasurer Joye Helm to pay Angeles Becerra a total of $694.92, Mr. Larry Lynch a total of $3,717.68, and Mr. Bryan Vahldick a total of $5,668.50 in overplus from the annual tax sale. When a property is auctioned and sold for more than what is owed on it, the excess profit is considered "overplus" and is granted to the original owner.

Rebecca Simmons requested the commission visit her residence on Indian Creek Road to view damage to the county road caused by recent flooding. The commission met with Simmons and will discuss possible solutions with Anderson Mayor John Sellers.

General News on 07/30/2015