The Ellis County Press: County receiving FEMA funds

County receiving FEMA funds
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Editor on 10/18/2007 00:00:00


STAFF REPORT
_The Ellis County Press_
County Judge Chad Adams received notification today from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency the county will receive $220,283.48 to help offset the cost of
road repairs in Road and Bridge Precinct 2, necessitated by recent flooding.
'This is in response to the heavy rains and flooding that occurred during the
period from June 16 to Aug. 3,' said Adams.
'The County Engineer and the Emergency Management staff have been working
closely with all the Commissioners and with FEMA to obtain this assistance.'
Adams issued a Declaration of Disaster on June 29.
Commissioner Bill Dodson, pct. 2, was ecstatic about the award.
'Well, this isn't as good as a magic wand, but it is going to help a lot,' he
said.
'The fact is, as much as we needed the rain, our roads were hit hard and repairs
are not cheap.'
Flooding during that time period resulted in road damages throughout the County.
'Precinct 2 suffered the most damage, by far, and that is reflected in this
grant award,' said
Emergency Management Coordinator Sharon McKinney.
'I do expect additional funding to come through for the other precincts.'
McKinney estimates Precinct 1 may receive as much as $63,000, while Precincts 3
and 4 should receive approximately $27,000 and $9,000 respectively.
'There are accountability measures, or restrictions, included in these grants,'
Adams added.
'Which means, essentially, that there are specific repair projects called for in
individual work orders.'
The administrative work relating to the FEMA grants will be done by the
Emergency Management office.