ELSBERRY – Several angry and frustrated Elsberry residents attended a town hall meeting Friday to discuss the impact of a once-in-a-lifetime flood event and to learn how recovery efforts will be handled.

Lincoln County Emergency Management Director Quentin Laws provided the standing-room-only crowd with a brief overview of the July 26-27 storm and ensuing flashflood:

• – National weather Service reported 10.9 inches of rain, with some local measurements on Highway 79 closer to 15 inches;
• – 42 people directly rescued, with approximately 60-70 people affected in total;
• – No injuries or deaths reported.

Laws said early estimates place damage estimates at nearly $5 million to commercial and personal property. He added approximately 220 structures were damaged with 47 of them reporting water rose above electrical outlets (classified as substantially/majorly damaged).

However, that figure doesn’t include significant damage as well to public property, including several rescue boats. Laws also said the Winfield/Foley fire department suffered the most damage, with a fire truck, side-by-side, and the fire chief’s vehicle expected to be total losses.

Relief Efforts

In the immediate aftermath, the Methodist Church in Elsberry quickly became the town’s primary relief center and donation drop-off site.

Rev. Laura Taylor said volunteers have logged nearly 700 hours at the shelter since it opened Sunday morning and that more than 160 people, groups, organizations and churches have contributed supplies.

The Elsberry Ministerial Alliance Fund has also received over $15,000 in donations.

Dan Colbert, executive director of the Bridge of Hope shelter in Troy, also attended the meeting. He said one Elsberry family is already using their services and said more room was available for short-term housing.

Recovery Process

Both the city of Elsberry and Lincoln County have issued emergency declarations.

Laws said with those declarations made, a state emergency team will be intown Wednesday at 9 a.m. to conduct joint preliminary damage assessments.

Once that assessment is complete, the information will be forwarded to Gov. Mike Kehoe, who will then have the option to declare a state of emergency for the area.

Kehoe came to Elsberry Wednesday to assess the damage and is expected to approve the emergency declaration.

Once the state declaration is made, information will be sent to the federal government where ultimately, the President decides whether to declare a federal emergency for the area, allowing for federal financial assistance.

Mayor Wilch also indicated the formation of a long-term recovery committee while volunteer crews are being organized to help with cleanup efforts.

Other Action Items

Beyond the formation of the recovery committee and the announcement of the Wednesday state assessment, other information provided at the meeting included:

• – City will provide documentation/notes for residents who missed work due to the disaster;
• – Relief center organizing volunteer time slots for home cleanup assistance;
• – The city is developing a solution for disposal of flood-damaged appliances;
• – The city will explore possibility of increased trash pickup frequency during recovery period;
• – Mosquito control products for standing water is available at Methodist Church);
• – Establish process for curbside pickup of debris for residents without transportation.