Seven consecutive days of heavy rains and flooding closed or severely damaged 22 Texas County roads and when combined with earlier severe weather, caused an estimated $5 million in damage.
Officials continue to assess the situation across the county as high water from last week’s flooding that dumped 15.8 inches of rainfall in seven days recedes. Texas County Emergency Management Director Bennie Cook said representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will soon be in the area to begin the process of determining how much recovery funding might be available and to whom it would be distributed.
The $5 million figure takes into account damage reports submitted by county townships from last week’s flooding, but also some of the late spring round of rain that also caused significant damage.
“There were some townships who didn’t file reports after the May 31 and June 1 damage we had,” Cook said. “I think we had 10 townships reporting back then, but now we have several more reporting and we have people calling in who say the damage is the worst they’ve ever seen.
“It might be a high projection, and after we get everybody’s figures together, it might be a bit lower, but that’s what we’re going with right now.”
Cook has met with some area business owners whose businesses sustained flood damage and has plans of meeting with others. He recently met with the owners of Houston Bowl, which was invaded by several inches of floodwaters from adjacent Brushy Creek, and said that business hopes to reopen.
“They’re still evaluating what they’re going to do,” Cook said. “Right now, they’re still cleaning things up and they’ve started ripping out carpet, but the lanes were badly damaged and there are concerns about other possible damage to the building.”
Cook said that in addition to the road damage numbers, he plans to also present a figure to SEMA with regard to commercial and personal loss and damage.
“I don’t know what they’ll do with it and I can’t guarantee anything will come of it,” he said, “but the damage came from flood waters, so we’re going to turn it in and see what happens.”
ROADS DAMAGED
Cook called for the public to avoid flooded roads as his office monitored the weather conditions. At the end of last week, there were 22 roads closed or damaged:
- Boone Township – Texas Tower, Paddy Creek and Hazleton.
- Lynch Township – Strawberry, Prescott, Boone Creek, McCoy, and Success.
- Upton Township – Stallcup, Campbell and Long Valley.
- Jackson Township – Timber Hill, Smith Road.
- Pierce Township – Bradford Road and Stillhouse Road.
- Morris Township – County Line Road, Rock Springs, Logan and Murr.
- Roubidoux Township – Long Hollow Road, Prairie Creek Road and Rock Creek Road.
TOWNSHIPS GATHER
On Friday, representatives of Texas County townships gathered in Houston to learn about possible aid to repair roads and bridges hard hit by recent heavy rain.
Commissioners Fred Stenger and John Casey, as well as Cook, met with several dozen township officials as the threat of rain continued.
“What didn’t get hit last time, certainly did this time,” said Jack Watson, president of a township advisory group.
Township officials are asked to immediately let emergency responders or Cook know of roads and bridges that are impassable in case of emergencies occur. They also are asked to submit an outline of damage, the number of workers and how long labor may be needed as preparation is sought for a federal grant application. Some are still under water; the amount of damage is unknown.
The county hopes to tap U.S. Labor Department aid that was used after 2011 floods. The Disaster Recovery Jobs Program pumped in an estimated $700,000 in wages and earnings and provided employment to about 300, said Presiding Commissioner Fred Stenger.
Casey and Stenger also participated in a conference call Friday morning with the State Emergency Management Agency. County officials were in Waynesville on Thursday to coordinate response efforts and visit with Gov. Jay Nixon.
Flood damage within the county not already reported can be submitted to two sources. Inside Houston city limits, contact the city hall at 417-967-3348. In the rest of Texas County, call the emergency management office at 417-967-0720.