(KTNC)--Northwest Missouri continues to clean up from severe storms that drenched the state in early September.
In Holt County, many gravel roads and bridges remain closed due to tornadoes and heavy rains that struck in the northern part of the county, generally in a line from Mound City to the Nodaway County line. While some of the roads have been repaired, county officials are waiting to fix others.
Why the delay? Holt County Clerk Kathy Kunkel says they're waiting for a determination whether the county will qualify for a federal disaster declaration. The state of Missouri has issued a disaster declaration, and Kunkel says state and federal emergency management agency representatives will be in the county this week to get a look at the damage.
Kunkel says the state declaration helps, but they would like to get the federal disaster declaration, as that would speed up work to repair the 200 miles of county roads, and several bridges, culverts and drainage ditches that were damaged. Kunkel says they've fixed the main roads and bus routes, but have left others until federal officials can see the condition of the roads.
With harvest in full swing, Kunkel says people want their roads bladed and repaired, but she says they've been waiting to make those repairs until FEMA officials can look at the damage first-hand. She says that gives a better indication of the damage than photographs. Federal and state emergency management officials were scheduled to be in Holt County Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Holt County Commissioners directed Road and Bridge Supervisor Daryl Biermann to extend staff work days to 10 hours, to repair the damage. The county has also asked the Norris Aggregate Quarry to extend the hours available for them to haul rock.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
Severe storms move through NE KS
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Rural Horton man charged in alleged beating
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Commission approves agreement for budget help
Council hears report from golf course
Pawnee City School Board approves personnel changes
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
LATEST STORIES
Road, railway repairs, underway in Atchison this week
KS replacement plates see long wait times
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
One injured in Holt County MO wreck
Field survey set in Brown Co at U.S 77/K-20 junction
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Pawnee County Rural Health Clinic participating in DHHS program
Local students participation in Peru State research expo
Meetings to help with Homestead Exemptions scheduled in Johnson County
RELATED STORIES
Work to resume on two Falls City highway projects
Holt County Mitigation Plan Update
Golf Legend Involved in Holt County Building Project
Strong Storms Rumble Across SE Nebraska
Holt Co Fair Launches This Week
Law Enforcement Memorial Planned in Holt County MO.
Holt Co Approves Financing For Patrol Unit