Storm leaves parks, roads and facilities damaged; county outlines cleanup and equipment needs

Woodbury County officials described widespread storm damage to parks, roads and county facilities and outlined immediate recovery work and equipment needs.

Laura Receivers, Woodbury County Engineer, said crews began responding to the storm late Sunday and worked through the night to clear roads, remove fallen trees and close routes with downed power lines. “We tried to push off as many trees as we could to keep as many roads open as we have could,” Receivers said. She reported washouts, roof damage to the engineers’ building in Moville, damaged sand‑salt sheds in Pierson and Moville, lost culverts and at least one piece of county equipment with a broken window from flying debris.

Conservation board members reported heavy damage at Snyder’s Bend, Bigelow Park and Brown’s Lake in Salix; cabins sustained broken windows and doors. External assistance—volunteer crews and equipment from other counties—helped the cleanup, the board said.

Supervisors also discussed communications gaps in affected areas and a request that the E911 board consider funding radios for jailers from its capital-improvement funds. One supervisor said better foreman radios would improve on‑scene coordination when phone systems and cell networks fail.

Officials urged residents to use the county emergency-management website’s self-reporting damage-assessment tool so the county can gather data and prioritize assistance. No countywide emergency declaration was recorded during the meeting; supervisors focused discussion on cleanup, interagency assistance and options for funding upgraded radio equipment.