Cole County officials hope a disaster declaration request by Gov. Jay Nixon will lead to financial help for the county to repair roads damaged by flooding earlier this month.
Nixon asked the federal government on Tuesday to declare a major disaster for 70 Missouri counties due to spring and summer storms that caused tornadoes, torrential rains and flooding across much of the state.
Along with Cole County, the request included Maries, Miller, Moniteau and Osage counties.
Nixon also requested individual assistance for Osage County, meaning eligible individuals and households could seek federal assistance for uninsured losses from severe weather and flooding. Public assistance allows local governments and eligible nonprofit agencies to seek assistance for response and recovery expenses associated with the severe weather.
In making the request, Nixon cited damage to roads, bridges and other public infrastructure, along with homes and businesses. At least 10 deaths are blamed on the storms and flooding.
Since mid-May, more than half of the state has been damaged, and many places face extensive response and rebuilding expenses, Nixon said.
Nixon first declared a state of emergency June 18, an order that activated the State Emergency Operations Center and enabled the state to mobilize resources to assist local authorities. Last week, he extended the state of emergency until Aug. 14.
At Tuesday's Cole County Commission meeting, Public Works Director Larry Benz said it was just a matter of waiting for the declaration to go through.
Benz showed the county's water effects to representatives from the State Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency last Friday as part of the state's efforts toward a disaster declaration. Benz said Cole County will meet the minimum damage costs of $286,000 to qualify for aid.
Last week, the county commission awarded a $48,700 contract to GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc., to investigate the geotechnical elements below damaged Lower Bottom Road. The contract includes complete design for repairs, which will be completed by the county if feasible, or contracted out if more substantial.
Benz said easement landowners have indicated their willingness to work with the county to get the repairs done.
Lower Bottom Road was not the only area in the county to be affected by the unusual rainfall, according to Benz, who said some roads and shoulders were washed out in places not affected since the Great Floods of 1993 and 1995.
Pavement on Millbrook Road at the Route D intersection buckled. It was removed, and a base of rock was put in as a temporary fix.
One driving lane of the low-water crossing on North Branch Road collapsed; it was excavated and rock was put in as a temporary replacement.
Water washed out the shoulder on the east side of Mount Carmel Road between U.S. 54 and Old Bass Road.
All of these roads are along the Moreau River, which saw a major rise after heavy rains.
The Associated Press contributed information used in this story.