Long-Term Recovery Committee Meeting

4-2-08

Present:  Paul Farmer, Jim Collins, Donna Carr, Mary Blanc, Mandy Gregory, Gwen Rode, Shane O’Neill, Capt. Harold Poff, Joyce Cosby, Stephanie Norrick, Jon Neufelder, Debbie Burns

The meeting was called because the American Red Cross is getting numerous calls for assistance since mid-March regarding all the rain and flooding.  Many homeowners needed sandbags to keep the water out.  A mobile home park was evacuated.  Vectren also had to turn the power off to a few apartment communities and around 170 homes.

Due to all of this, the Red Cross opened a sheltered.  Mostly people came in for showers and a place to watch television.  A few people stayed overnight.  Others came in for clean-up kits.  Red Cross officials have begun conducting disaster assessments (see attached PDF document)

The National Weather Service is predicting up to 4 inches of rain to occur from April 2^nd through 5^th.  The hardest hit area will be southern Kentucky and eastern Missouri.  The Wabash and New Harmony rivers are holding steady.  The Ohio is at 36 feet and expected to crest at 42.6 feet on April 10^th. 

Patoka Lake is being drained due to the high level.  It will drain into the Patoka River and affect Dubois and Gibson Counties.

Right now, the LTRC does not need to do anything.  If we get the predicted amount of rain, we may need to mobilize.  Joyce and Stephanie have spoken and felt the committee needed to meet and learn what was going on.  We are asking the committee and case managers to be ready in case we need to act quickly.  Watch your e-mail for further announcements.

As of right now, we have not scheduled another meeting regarding the flooding.  One will be called if necessary.

Respectfully Submitted:

Stephanie Norrick

Communications Specialist, LTRC