At the request of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, teams of local, state and federal disaster specialists are conducting Preliminary Damage Assessments in Missouri counties impacted by severe storms, heavy rains, flooding and flash flooding that began in December 2015.
McDonald County Commissioners Keith Lindquist and John Bunch, as well as County Clerk Kimberly Bell and Emergency Management Director Gregg Sweeten met Jan. 13 with Missouri Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess flood damage around the county.
PDAs are designed to gather general information about the disaster's impact. They provide a big picture of the disaster and do not include a detailed examination of every affected road or public building. Teams are comprised of specialists familiar with evaluation 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.
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.
In other business:
• Jeff Banaret, Great River engineer, discussed the Oscar Talley Bridge Project with the commission. Banaret explained that progress on the project would halt until additional research can be conducted on the environmental impact this project would have on fish and wildlife in the area. He noted that he hopes to see the project resume in May.
• Ed Morgan, Sherlynn Sorrells, and Dave Morris informed the commission that Arkansas Construction Solutions is in the process of opening a quarry in the area and asked commissioners to consider the business during future projects.
• Kaycee Hunter and Bruce Arnold spoke with the commission about McDonald County Library board members.
• Mike Lucariello met with the commission concerning Baker Road near Stella. He offered to supply the material if he can build the road up to an acceptable level.
• Tim Noel, Brian Bettencourt, and Randy Speak, representatives with Berry Tractor and Equipment, met with the commission regarding a motor grader.
• Commissioners met with remaining office holders and department heads to discuss individual 2016 budgets.
General News on 02/11/2016