Local communities still wait for FEMA disaster declaration
Pictured above, the 7th Street bridge in Cassville by the park is still closed as clean-up and repair efforts continue after the floods.
July 29, 2015
Charlea Mills
Three weeks after major flooding damaged homes and public property throughout Barry County, area residents are still waiting for a disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Governor Jay Nixon officially requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government on Tuesday, July 21. This came after Nixon declared a state of emergency across the state on June 18. His request includes 70 of Missouri’s 114 counties for weather-related damages from severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, like what was experienced in Barry County. Barry County is also one of 15 counties where residents will be able to apply for individual uninsured damage expenses related to the flooding, as well.
Nixon stated, “Beginning in mid-May, more than half of Missouri has been hit by a damaging and prolonged weather system that’s brought record rainfall to much of the state and led to extensive damage to public infrastructure and private property and led to tragic deaths.
“Communities across the state have been hit with extensive response and rebuilding expenses. I’m asking that federal assistance be available to help with that.”
If FEMA funds become available to Barry County, funds can go to aid eligible individuals and households for uninsured losses from the flooding. Public assistance would help local government bodies and nonprofit agencies ask for funds for response and recovery expenses.
In Barry County, the Barry County Sheriff’s office said that half a dozen families were left homeless following the floods in early July.
Damages to the Cassville area were most extensive in the city parks and the Greenway Trail, according to Public Works Director Steve Walensky. Walensky also said that he had met with SEMA/FEMA on July 16 to discuss the plan. Efforts to clean up the area and fix as much damage as possible have included efforts from all city employees.
Walensky said that the city does not yet have an estimate on how much damage was done.
At Roaring River State Park, clean-up and repair efforts were underway nearly immediately, and the park reopened on Friday, July 10, following the heavy rainfall. According to Steph Deidrick, Division Information Officer with Missouri State Parks, 255 guests were evacuated from the park when the major floods hit, and to date, the park has spent $4,000 on repairs.
By Friday, debris had been cleaned up, and the Missouri Department of Conservation made temporary repairs to the bridge that was damaged by the CCC Lodge. The most heavily affected areas were the river bank from the hatchery to the Lodge as well as Campground #2.
Deidrick said the park plans to submit estimates to both SEMA and FEMA to assist with funding for the repairs.
Even with help from MDC and the Department of Transportation, the park has more repairs before back to normal. Currently, the bridge has a five-ton weight limit until more extensive repairs can be made. Deidrick also said that debris removal continues and gravel removal from the water is underway.
It is unknown when there will be a response regarding a federal disaster declaration.
Charlea Mills
Three weeks after major flooding damaged homes and public property throughout Barry County, area residents are still waiting for a disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Governor Jay Nixon officially requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government on Tuesday, July 21. This came after Nixon declared a state of emergency across the state on June 18. His request includes 70 of Missouri’s 114 counties for weather-related damages from severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, like what was experienced in Barry County. Barry County is also one of 15 counties where residents will be able to apply for individual uninsured damage expenses related to the flooding, as well.
Nixon stated, “Beginning in mid-May, more than half of Missouri has been hit by a damaging and prolonged weather system that’s brought record rainfall to much of the state and led to extensive damage to public infrastructure and private property and led to tragic deaths.
“Communities across the state have been hit with extensive response and rebuilding expenses. I’m asking that federal assistance be available to help with that.”
If FEMA funds become available to Barry County, funds can go to aid eligible individuals and households for uninsured losses from the flooding. Public assistance would help local government bodies and nonprofit agencies ask for funds for response and recovery expenses.
In Barry County, the Barry County Sheriff’s office said that half a dozen families were left homeless following the floods in early July.
Damages to the Cassville area were most extensive in the city parks and the Greenway Trail, according to Public Works Director Steve Walensky. Walensky also said that he had met with SEMA/FEMA on July 16 to discuss the plan. Efforts to clean up the area and fix as much damage as possible have included efforts from all city employees.
Walensky said that the city does not yet have an estimate on how much damage was done.
At Roaring River State Park, clean-up and repair efforts were underway nearly immediately, and the park reopened on Friday, July 10, following the heavy rainfall. According to Steph Deidrick, Division Information Officer with Missouri State Parks, 255 guests were evacuated from the park when the major floods hit, and to date, the park has spent $4,000 on repairs.
By Friday, debris had been cleaned up, and the Missouri Department of Conservation made temporary repairs to the bridge that was damaged by the CCC Lodge. The most heavily affected areas were the river bank from the hatchery to the Lodge as well as Campground #2.
Deidrick said the park plans to submit estimates to both SEMA and FEMA to assist with funding for the repairs.
Even with help from MDC and the Department of Transportation, the park has more repairs before back to normal. Currently, the bridge has a five-ton weight limit until more extensive repairs can be made. Deidrick also said that debris removal continues and gravel removal from the water is underway.
It is unknown when there will be a response regarding a federal disaster declaration.
