Charles Mix County declares emergency after June flooding, seeks outside aid

The Charles Mix County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution 2024-03 on June 27, declaring an emergency after above-normal June precipitation caused widespread damage to county and township roads.

The declaration, passed following reports from Highway Superintendent Cimpl and Emergency Management Director Mike Kotab, notes six culverts were washed out, multiple gravel roads experienced washouts and bridge cleanouts were needed. County staff reported filing FEMA damage reports and reallocating personnel to response and repairs. The resolution states that local resources are not adequate to cope with the situation and that total repair costs are expected to exceed what local units can provide.

Superintendent Cimpl reviewed the most urgent infrastructure problems, including culvert failures and washouts on gravel roads and work at the Geddes shop; Emergency Management Director Mike Kotab summarized county and township road impacts and response coordination. The board took no immediate funding action beyond adopting the emergency declaration.

Commissioners framed the declaration as a step to enable county access to state and federal assistance and to document the scope of damage; the resolution formally records that the event "endanger[ed] and threaten[ed] the health, safety, and welfare of the public" and that local financial capacity is likely inadequate. The resolution was signed and entered into the minutes.

Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes include continuing FEMA reporting and coordination with townships. The board did not approve specific repair contracts or a budget appropriation during the June 27 meeting.