The Atchison County Commission met Wednesday, March 13, 2019, for an emergency session due to flooding concerns related to the Missouri River and local tributaries. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Also present for the meeting were: Rhonda Wiley, Emergency Management Director; Mark Manchester, Assistant Director; Troy LaHue, Jason Garst, Garry Garst, and Ryan Ottmann, Atchison County Levee District; Dennis Martin, Atchison County Sheriff; Chad Gray, Atchison County Conservation Agent; Chad Ottmann and Scott Jones, Rock Port Fire Department; Shane Bredensteiner, Tarkio Fire Department; Matt Heits, Missouri State Highway Patrol; and Tim Hays, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Emergency Management Director Rhonda Wiley reviewed the latest news release from the Army Corps of Engineers showing the increased releases scheduled for today. Morning release was at 17,000 cfs, noon release was at 22,000 cfs and evening release was scheduled to be 27,000 cfs. This release creates additional concerns of Missouri River flooding.
Director Wiley and Tim Hays with MoDOT reported on current road closings around the county.
Wiley then reported that the Tarkio River level was at 28.4’ and was still rising. Shane Bredensteiner with Tarkio Fire Department reported that flood precautions were being taken in the low areas of the city.
Director Wiley asked about the water supply in all three communities. With two board members present for Atchison County Rural Water, it was reported that there was no danger to the water supply.
It was noted that the Gavins Point Release Increase Notice was not initially sent to Atchison County. It was obtained through the National Weather Service.
Following discussion by all present it was determined to send out a statement immediately about the current conditions and inform the public that a voluntary evacuation order will go into effect at 7:00 a.m. Thursday, March 14, 2019, which was done by Director Wiley upon completion of the meeting.
At 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, Presiding Commissioner Livengood declared a State of Emergency for Atchison County so that any state and federal aid needed could be requested by the county.
Members of the levee district reported they have sandbags available if needed and Director Wiley confirmed that the county had a sand pile ready. At this time no one felt that any sandbagging was needed. There is no access to the levees due to the condition, and Tarkio reported they do not need any sandbags at this time either.
The commission, along with Langdon Special Road District via board member Chad Ottmann and Watson Special Road District, via a call placed by Presiding Commissioner Livengood, all agreed to close all levee access points at Langdon Bend, Hoot Owl Bend, and the Watson Boat Ramp. Atchison County Road and Bridge will place barricades at the end of the roads. Any trespassers or anyone on the levee system will be ticketed and possibly jailed.
Tim Hays reported that they had been contacted by the Iowa DOT and there is a possibility that Highway 275 could be closed on Thursday, March 14.
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The Commission met Thursday, March 14, 2019. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Bills were reviewed and approved.
Jerri Dearmont and Kim Mildward, with Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments, were in attendance to discuss the consortium agreement with Workforce Development. They presented a “Workforce Funding Flowchart” and presented facts about how grant dollars for Workforce Development are allocated and the responsibility that each chief elected county official plays in overseeing how those dollars are spent. With 11 new presiding commissioners in the 18 county region, they felt a need to provide some educational information.
Brandt Shields, District Office Director with Senator Blunt’s office, visited to see if the commission needed any assistance from them with the current flooding concerns.
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The Commission met Friday, March 15, 2019, at the Velma Houts Building in Rock Port for an emergency meeting due to the impending flooding of the Missouri River. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and Deanna Beck, Deputy County Clerk.
Also present were: Mark Manchester, Assistant Emergency Management Director; Candis Stanton, 911 dispatcher; Tom Gibson, Watson Fire Department; Tammy Gibson, Village of Watson Clerk; Leslie Schulte, Atchison County Health Department; Eric Abbott and Chad Gray, Missouri Department of Conservation; Jim Crawford, University of Missouri Extension; Shawn Skoglund, Missouri State Highway Patrol; Troy LaHue and Ryan Ottmann, Atchison County Levee District; Nicholas Greiner, Missouri State Highway Patrol; Tyson Gibbons, Tarkio Police Department; Shawna Bindle and Gene Bradley, Atchison-Holt Ambulance District; Dennis Martin, Atchison County Sheriff; Jennifer Roup, Atchison County Mail; Jeremy Jackson and Tim Hayes, MoDOT; Jamie Quimby, Tarkio City Street Department; Jerry Clemens, Atchison-Holt Electric Company; and Adam Meyer, Atchison County Highway Department.
Presiding Commission Livengood called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
He reported that Emergency Manager Rhonda Wiley is currently in St. Joseph Missouri, preparing to do a fly-over of the Missouri River in Atchison County with Governor Michael L. Parson. He asked for updates and comments from anyone wishing to share information with the group.
Ryan Ottmann, the Atchison County Levee District, stated that the current river levels are the result of rainfall and snowmelt from areas in northern Nebraska around Norfolk, where heavy rain has fallen recently, adding to the water from melting snow, causing flooding of several rivers. The rising river levels we are experiencing now is not water from Gavins Point. The Corps of Engineers has indicated that they will hold off their water release until Saturday, March 16, in an effort to help keep the river levels down as much as possible. Ryan had flown over the bottom along the river and noted that the levee is being overtopped about 1.5 miles north of the Brownville bridge and south near Langdon, and that although there is no breach of the levee yet, the risk is high. His recommendation is that everyone west of I-29 should be evacuated by sunset tonight. He also said there would be no flood fight on this incident. We can only stand back and let it happen.
Jeremy Jackson with MoDOT reported that they were utilizing a global detour with signage in Kansas City redirecting traffic up I-35. They will also put signs up in St. Joseph to divert as much traffic as possible up Highway 71 and close one lane of I-29 North at 71 to encourage traffic to go north at that point. It is anticipated that Highway 136 west of Rock Port will be closed before dark to prevent tragedy should water go over the road after dark and Highway 275 is anticipated to close in the very near future.
Tammy Gibson, City of Watson, voiced a grievance about I-29 being closed and not being allowed to use that route to return to Watson. She also wondered why emergency shelters have not been opened.
The Highway Patrol Spokesman reported that the barricades are a deterrent to non-local traffic and are not meant to keep locals from reaching their homes. They must stay up, however, to control traffic.
Sheriff Martin reported that everyone living on the bottom has been contacted regarding evacuation. Help in moving has been offered. Both Pleasant View Nursing Home and Tarkio Rehabilitation & Healthcare have offered rooms to anyone needing shelter.
Mark Manchester, Assistant Emergency Management Director, asked Sheriff Martin if he had a list of residents refusing to leave. He did not.
Tarkio Policeman Tyson Gibbons reported there are no problems in Tarkio at this time.
Leslie Schulte, Emergency Health Coordinator with the Atchison County Health Center, reported that the region is activated to help, with their Situational and Swift Water Rescue team on alert. They have completed an inventory of the tetanus vaccine and are ready to act on this situation.
Eric Abbott, Missouri Department of Conservation, reported that they are ready and on alert to help as the need arises.
Jerry Clemens, Atchison-Holt Electric, reported that they have done the prep work to discontinue power to the affected area but will keep peoples’ power on as long as it is safe to do so. Phelps City sub-station is readied and will be manned 24/7.
Chad Gray, Missouri Department of Conservation, asked why shelters have not been opened. Mark Manchester, Emergency Management, indicated that a phone number has been provided for people needing shelter to call and they have had no calls. Tammy Gibson indicated that if the shelter was open, people may go to it, however most of them feel that they will go when something happens.
Ryan Ottmann stressed that the risk for unprecedented flooding is too great to ignore and if people don’t heed the warning to evacuate, it may be too late when something happens.
Sheriff Martin reported that the Nishnabotna River is already at a historic high and it hasn’t crested yet. All the tributaries are high so if any levees breach, Watson could see flooding that it has never seen before.
Gene Bradley, Atchison-Holt Ambulance, said that they are prepared to stage an ambulance in Rock Port to be ready to respond immediately when needed. They have five more ambulances on standby as well as Swift Water Rescue.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood asked for any further comments. He thanked people for coming, and indicated that further meetings would be held as needed.
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The Commission met Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Bills were reviewed and approved.
The Annual Collector’s Report was reviewed and approved.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood contacted Representative Allen Andrews for assistance with requesting the National Guard.
It was the 65th annual County Government Day at the courthouse, hosted by the American Legion and the Auxiliary. A total of 69 students participated.
They met with Emergency Management Director Rhonda Wiley to discuss flood concerns and needs.
