Damage uncovered as snow melts

Although the snow from late December's storms has mostly melted away, damage to public buildings that occured may just be beginning to show. A briefing will be held at the Bourbon County Courthouse Wednesday to discuss damage and possible emergency funding to make repairs. (Tribune file photo)

As the snow continues to melt away and the amount of damage increases, funding assistance is being made available.

The Kansas Department of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency will have representatives in Bourbon County Wednesday to meet with public agencies regarding damages sustained during the recent winter storms. The Public Assistance Applicants Briefing will be held at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners Room located on the second floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Ave.

Bourbon County Emergency Manager Keith Jeffers said the meeting is available to any governmental entity or agency funded by tax dollars. The damage sustained by the storms was not severe enough for individual assistance to become available.

"It takes an awful lot more for individual assistance," Jeffers said. "Houses have to be destroyed pretty much."

The Bourbon County Commission made two local Declarations of Disaster based on recommendations from Jeffers. The first declaration was dated Dec. 28, 2009 and covers the time period of Dec. 21-28. The second Declaration was made on Jan. 11 to cover the storm damages from Dec. 28 to present time.

As the snow melts more damages are being discovered, according to Jeffers, which could extend the length of the second declaration.

"We are finding more and more," he said. "We expect the time period to be expanded to cover at least another couple of weeks of repairs."

Bourbon County has already suffered about $250,000 in damages which include repairs to equipment used to clear roads, overtime for employees, damage to county roads, water main breaks, and damage to a door at the Fort Scott Fire Department.

Jeffers said that originally the cost of the overtime and snow removal was not going to be included. After further evaluation by the state, it was decided that the removal was necessary for other emergency purposes, according to Jeffers.

"The amount of snow, even though it was not a record snow, was in such quantities over a larger period of time that it was required to remove it to get emergency access for other purposes," Jeffers said.

Representatives from KDEM and FEMA will meet with representatives of any public agency or entity, to begin the process of collecting the amounts of damages that have been sustained.

Governmental and publicly supported agencies that have already reported or need to report damage to buildings, utilities, critical infrastructure equipment and many other possible damages are encouraged to send a representative to the meeting.

Private-Non-Profit organization are also eligible to apply for Public Assistance would include museums, performing arts facilities, community centers, libraries, senior centers, low income housing agencies, treatment centers, and daycare centers for children or individuals with special needs. Additional restrictions may apply for PNP Organizations.

For information about eh Public Assistance Applicants Briefing Meeting, or any other information regarding Emergency Management in Bourbon County, contact Jeffers at (620) 223-3800 ext. 46.