Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Flood Recovery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Highway department reports dam breach, DNR involvement and $4.53 million initial FEMA mitigation estimate
Summary
A dam breach that contributed to flash-flood damage on Mill Grove Road prompted DNR involvement; county submitted mitigation estimates to federal agencies and received a preliminary approved amount of $4,530,687.84 to restore infrastructure to pre-flood condition.
Owen County highway staff reported that crews investigating damage on Mill Grove Road found a breached dam that contributed significant sediment and channel damage after recent flooding. County staff notified the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and referred the situation to DNR water resources for further action.
County officials said the Department of Homeland Security review of mitigation estimates produced an initial approved figure of $4,530,687.84 to return damaged assets to pre-event conditions; officials stressed that this figure represents work to "get back to normal," not funding for mitigation upgrades. Staff said additional damaged sites discovered after the initial submission will be added to the request.
Highway staff also reported temporary repairs to 44 bridges that were affected by debris and channel changes during the flood; longer-term mitigation and repairs will follow consultant inspections and further documentation for federal reimbursement. Officials said the federal review process is iterative and likely to take time as the state and federal agencies reconcile estimates and conduct site reviews.
