Atchison and Holt Counties and several other entities suffered extensive damage from the Missouri River Flood of 2019. The damages commenced in March with rising river levels and levee failures and continued in some areas throughout the year.

Assessments of the damage areas were completed by both Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). The Damaged Assessment Reports were needed to apply for funding through the Missouri Department of Economic Development-Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).

Holt County, Fortescue Special Road District and Phelps City Special Road District received notice they were awarded Long-Term Recovery funds from CDBG early in October to make the necessary flood repairs. Holt County received $532,346, Fortescue Special Road District received $699,727, and Phelps City Special Road District in Atchison County received $270,436 from CDBG.

The three projects together were estimated at $5,750,000 in damages. CDBG funds will assist the entities with 25% match and FEMA or NRCS will contribute 75%.

All three projects received major damage to roads that were washed out or from drainage ditches that were filled with debris or sediment from the floodwaters that remained for months. These projects will be restored to pre-flood conditions.