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Buhl offers community center to FEMA as Disaster Recovery Center; city expects reimbursement for flood repairs
Summary
At its Aug. 6 meeting the Buhl City Council authorized offering the Buhl Community Center to FEMA for use as a Disaster Recovery Center and heard that city infrastructure repairs from late‑June storms are expected to be eligible for full reimbursement.
Buhl City Council on Aug. 6 voted to offer the city’s community center to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for use as a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for residents and businesses affected by the late‑June storms and flooding.
The motion by Councilor Towner, supported by Councilor Kealy, authorizes the use of the Buhl Community Center, 2 Jones Avenue, for FEMA operations through Oct. 31, 2024, with any facility charges “to be determined” if FEMA deems the site suitable. St. Louis County will cover facility costs if the center is used, council members were told.
The action follows council briefings about storm damage. Administrator Tony Jeffries said the June storms caused a washout on Whiteside Road and prompted replacement of aging corrugated steel culverts with larger polyethylene pipe to restore flow and service. He told the council that "it appears that all costs and expenses related to these mitigation and remediation activities will be considered eligible expenses, and it is anticipated that the City will receive 100% reimbursement on its actual costs of these activities." Jeffries also reported that roughly 600 private damage reports have been filed with the county, which will inform FEMA individual‑assistance outreach.
Why it matters: a local DRC would provide a single point where homeowners and renters can apply for FEMA assistance for structure repairs and lost personal property; offering the community center keeps that resource in Buhl if FEMA finds the facility suitable. Councilors noted the time‑limited nature of the offer and that final financial arrangements will be set only if FEMA moves forward.
The council also discussed whether the Buhl Economic Development Authority (BEDA) might be asked to cover costs if federal reimbursement were denied, but Administrator Jeffries said ownership questions for some damaged infrastructure left that option uncertain. The council passed the motion unanimously.
Next steps: FEMA and St. Louis County will determine whether to operate a DRC in Buhl; if they proceed, the city will coordinate facility logistics and post details for residents online and through county channels.
