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Hardin County judges, emergency teams report dozens of water rescues as FEMA engages after widespread flooding
Summary
County leaders described dozens of rescues, multiple shelters and a FEMA assignment after flooding that affected dozens of roads and dozens–to-hundreds–of homes across Hardin County; officials said there were no known fatalities.
Judge Hall, the county judge/executive, told the Hardin County Fiscal Court on April 8 that widespread flooding has prompted dozens of water rescues, opened shelters and drawn a FEMA representative to the county.
The county judge said county emergency teams and volunteers conducted 31 water rescues and provided 75 home evacuation assists; he said there were no known fatalities or injuries “that we know of.” He described West Point and Colesburg among the worst-hit communities and said the Ohio and Rolling Fork rivers were receding in places but remained a threat in others.
County officials said the Red Cross and local churches opened shelters for displaced residents. Judge Hall said the county has an assigned FEMA representative who is touring damage sites and that officials expect the county to reach the federal threshold for disaster assistance, which he estimated at about a half-million dollars. He said, if FEMA verifies the damage threshold, federal resources will be made available to residents and local responders.
Mark Peterson, presenting for Emergency Management Director Joey (Joyce) Scott, said emergency management has coordinated with local fire departments, EMS and neighboring counties and listed recent incident responses including wildland and structure fires and missing-person searches. Peterson said the FEMA representative was expected to remain at least through mid-April to help the county document damage and needs.
Local officials described continuing road closures: Judge Hall said county road closures had fallen from about 37 to about 28 as waters receded in some areas, but several city and county roads remained impassable. County staff and the road department were prioritizing debris removal and road repairs once water levels allowed.
Detention, animal-control and other departments were mobilized: the county’s animal-control director was asked to provide temporary animal shelter capacity for evacuated residents, and detention staff helped unload and distribute pallets of water and meals to responders. Several magistrates and the judge praised volunteer fire departments, city crews and the public for rescue and relief work.
Why it matters: county officials said reaching the FEMA damage threshold would unlock reimbursements and assistance for cleanup, temporary shelter and individual recovery costs. Until then, local departments and nonprofits are providing immediate shelter and food.
Officials urged residents to exercise caution around closed roads and to follow shelter and emergency notices. Judge Hall and several magistrates thanked first responders, volunteers and churches that opened facilities for evacuees.
Ending: County leaders said the response is ongoing, FEMA and the state have boots on the ground, and county staff will continue damage assessments and documentation needed for federal aid.
