Present at the meeting, from right to left, were North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, Presiding Commissioner Curt Livengood, County Clerk Susette Taylor, and Emergency Management Director Rhonda Wiley.

Marty Liles with MoDOT addressed several questions the best he could, but couldn’t give a specific time frame.

Rhonda Wiley shared information she had about assistance that is available to residents in the flood area.

Richard Oswald gave a brief opening statement.

The Atchison County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 18, starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Velma Houts University of Missouri Extension building in Rock Port. Over 80 area residents filled the room to hear any new information pertaining to the current status of US Hwy. 136, I-29, and the levee system.  Presiding Commissioner Curt Livengood opened the meeting and he introduced guests in attendance before giving Rick Oswald the floor to make a few opening remarks. Rick was quick to point out that this meeting was organized by Ronda Lingerfelt and Mandy Ottmann in an effort to better inform the public as to what was currently going on.

Emergency Management Director Rhonda Wiley then brought everyone up to speed on where they could find assistance for those residents affected by the flood if they hadn’t already received it. Rhonda went into great detail on how they will be assessing the damage in the flooded area. The State of Missouri has declared this a disaster, but the federal government has not declared Missouri a disaster area as of right now. Rhonda went on to assure those present that everyone is working hard on getting the federal declaration, it’s just going to take time.

Atchison County Levee Board President Ryan Ottmann gave a quick update on the status of the levee system. They are waiting on the water level to go down before they can start repairing Atchison County levees. The Corps of Engineers has released money to start fixing the levee by Percival, Iowa. Ryan and the board thought that this could end up helping Atchison County as the water comes in by Percival and out by Hamburg. It then enters Atchison County by the mouth of the Nishnabotna River and flows down to the mouth of Rock Creek.

Marty Liles, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Engineer, was next to update everyone as to what MoDOT has been doing up to this point. Currently, the bridge located between Rock Port and Phelps City  is impassable and there is damage at the intersection of Hwy. 136 and Route D. Both areas are their biggest concerns at this time in Atchison County. No exact time line was given as it will depend on the river levels and when they can fix the breaks in the levee. Plans were expected to be let out for bids in order to get the ball rolling so they can begin work when the water recedes.

Curt Livengood wrapped up the meeting and encouraged those who had questions to stick around. The meeting then adjourned.