June 22, 2008 09:13 pm
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ANDERSON — The preliminary costs of the storms that hit Anderson at the end of May and beginning of June equal more than $200,000, city officials say.
John Kinley, deputy director of Emergency Management, said, as of Friday, the city had calculated about $225,000 of costs from debris removal, emergency protective measures and building and equipment damage because of the severe storms that swept through the county on May 30 and June 6.
“The trees were down on the roadways, and there was minimal flooding during the beginning of this month,” Kinley said.
Edgewater Park and Grandview Boulevard were barricaded from the public because of flooding.
The preliminary costs to the city do not include the cost of bringing in extra crews from Richmond and Gaylord Electric for help restoring electricity in the area.
As of Saturday, Madison County was one of 44 counties to qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Reimbursement for damage and recovery is generally 75 percent, Kinley said.
According to FEMA, Madison County qualifies for public assistance funding, which applies to local governments, as opposed to individual assistance, which would cover personal property.
“From meeting with FEMA (Friday), it looks pretty good that Madison County will qualify for reimbursement across the board,” he said, noting that included Elwood, Alexandria, Pendleton and other towns in the county.
The disaster declaration applies for damage starting on May 30, with no ending date declared as of Friday.
Ball State University’s Bureau of Business Research released a study on June 10 that estimated damage costs for the state at $126 million. However, the researchers clearly stated the number as preliminary.
The researchers said in a press release that the study indicated the 2008 floods were the second most expensive floods in Indiana’s history, following floods in 2003 that caused almost $270 million in damage.
Charges calculated from the city of Anderson as of June 16:
Light and Power: $151,000
Water Department: $1,500
Water Pollution Control: $27,000
Sewer Management: $23,000
Street Department: $3,000
Public Safety: $2,000
Parks: $17,000
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