Weekend flooding that ravaged Texas County caused at least $4 million in damage to public infrastructure, county officials said Monday.
“There’s a lot of damage,” said county emergency management director Keith Follin said. “More than usual for flooding. This is one of those ‘lots of money’ types of things.”
Follin said many bridges are washed out and others sustained heavy damage.
“There are many roads that are so bad that you could maybe drive a car on them, but I wouldn’t recommend it,” he said. “You really need a truck.”
Follin and the three Texas County commissioners met Monday morning with officials from 11 of Texas County’s 17 townships to begin assessing road and infrastructure damage and discuss options. Presiding Commissioner Fred Stenger said preliminary estimates are that flood damage in the county amounts to about $4 million, including about $1 million in Cass Township and about $500,000 in Piney Township.
One of the main purposes of the meeting was to begin exploring means of accomplishing major road repairs that would overextend some of the townships’ capabilities.
“We need to try to find an outside source with equipment and personnel to help us at least get the roads passable so school buses can run and so forth,” Stenger said.
FRED STENGER
About 40 county roads were closed on Monday. Even at $4 million, Stenger said assessments weren’t complete.
“There are many places where people couldn’t make an assessment because they’re still under water,” he said.
Follin said he has also been in contact with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in hopes that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will take action to provide flood relief funding.
“They’re working on that issue now,” Follin said. “But there’s a lot more damage south of us in West Plains and other places, so it’s going to be a while before they get to us.
“The wheels are turning, but it’s still kind of early. There’s no timeline at this point.”
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was in Van Buren on Monday, where unprecedented devastation occurred. Stenger said if and when Greitens made a disaster declaration, more steps would have to take place before money funneled down to Texas County.
“It would then have to go to Washington, D.C., for a federal declaration, which would free up funds which could then get back to us,” he said.
Stenger said he hoped that if funds become available, they would benefit both the public and private sector.
“We’re hopeful that they would make the declaration include personal property as well as public property,” he said. “If that were to happen, we want everybody to understand that this is not the goose that laid the golden egg.”
The correct course of action, Stenger said, is for citizens to do everything possible before attempting to qualify for funding.
“Go ahead and do your clean up, repairs and all that good stuff,” he said, “and take massive amounts of photos. If you think one is enough, take 10.
“Also keep accurate records of your time and expenses, because those are allowable for funds that are dispersed.”
If the declaration is made in that form, Stenger said, people can contact SEMA to request monetary assistance.
“A crew would come to your location for a damage assessment appointment and let you know if you qualify for all of it, part of it, none of it or whatever,” he said.
KEITH FOLLIN
Follin is also Roby Volunteer Fire Department chief and has many years of experience in various forms of first response. He said much of the damage in Texas County occurred in the southern end of the county.
“I have not seen anything like this before,” Follin said. “But it could have been worse. A lot of things you might think would have washed out didn’t.”
Follin recommends that people refrain from gawking at damage during flooding events.
“It’s kind of a double-edge sword,” he said, “because if you post a picture they’ll go out to look at it, but if you don’t, they go out anyway.”
A list of closed roadways is posted on the Texas County office of emergency management’s Facebook page. Stenger said a phone call to a township official might be a good idea for people unsure of road conditions in their area.
“Check with the township you’re traveling in to get a clear and better picture,” he said.
Follin asks all county residents who experienced flood damage to their homes or businesses to contact him by via email at emd@texascountymissouri.gov or private message via Texas County Office of Emergency Management’s Facebook page. He can also be reached by phone at 417-967-6536.
The Texas County Commission’s phone number is 417-967-3222.