Lt. Governor Brings Disaster Committee to St. Joseph
By: Melinda Barrett
Updated: September 6, 2012
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) It's been more than a year, but the repercussions of the flood are still prominent in northwest Missouri.
And now, state officials are reaching out to improve disaster preparedness.
"What we want to do with this hearing is take testimony from the people that were on the front lines of this disaster, and learn how the state might improve," said Lt. Governor, Peter Kinder.
Kinder made a stop in St. Joseph as chairman of the Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery Committee.
The committee hosted a public hearing to observe testimonies from local officials on Missouri's disaster response efforts, with last year's flood being the main issue.
"What we can't do is have the sustained floods that put people out of their homes, they lose their crops, we lose our roads and infrastructure for a long time," said Kathy Kunkel, Holt County Clerk.
Kathy Kunkel works for Holt County, and knows first hand how small, rural communities are effected by disasters and how difficult it can be to get the help needed.
"Since I took office in 2007, we have had five presidential declared floods and a week long presidential declared ice storm. By the time we are able to convince people that we need them, then we have everything that we need," said Kunkel.
Kunkel along with many others affected by the flood voiced their concerns in front of state officials that can work to find answers to the issues.
"The water stayed for so long, we couldn't do bridge infrastructure assessment, we couldn't tell the condition of our roads," said Kunkel.
"Our reach of the river here, the forty miles, we are the only two federal levee's that have not been repaired to federal standards since the flood of 1993," said Kenneth Reeder, St. Joseph.
The disaster preparedness committee is making their rounds throughout the state to gain information on what can be done for the future.
After the committee meeting, Lieutenant Governor, Peter Kinder toured Chiefs Training Camp facility at Missouri Western.
Kinder helped lead the fight for tax credits that brought the Chiefs to St. Joseph.
And now, state officials are reaching out to improve disaster preparedness.
"What we want to do with this hearing is take testimony from the people that were on the front lines of this disaster, and learn how the state might improve," said Lt. Governor, Peter Kinder.
Kinder made a stop in St. Joseph as chairman of the Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery Committee.
The committee hosted a public hearing to observe testimonies from local officials on Missouri's disaster response efforts, with last year's flood being the main issue.
"What we can't do is have the sustained floods that put people out of their homes, they lose their crops, we lose our roads and infrastructure for a long time," said Kathy Kunkel, Holt County Clerk.
Kathy Kunkel works for Holt County, and knows first hand how small, rural communities are effected by disasters and how difficult it can be to get the help needed.
"Since I took office in 2007, we have had five presidential declared floods and a week long presidential declared ice storm. By the time we are able to convince people that we need them, then we have everything that we need," said Kunkel.
Kunkel along with many others affected by the flood voiced their concerns in front of state officials that can work to find answers to the issues.
"The water stayed for so long, we couldn't do bridge infrastructure assessment, we couldn't tell the condition of our roads," said Kunkel.
"Our reach of the river here, the forty miles, we are the only two federal levee's that have not been repaired to federal standards since the flood of 1993," said Kenneth Reeder, St. Joseph.
The disaster preparedness committee is making their rounds throughout the state to gain information on what can be done for the future.
After the committee meeting, Lieutenant Governor, Peter Kinder toured Chiefs Training Camp facility at Missouri Western.
Kinder helped lead the fight for tax credits that brought the Chiefs to St. Joseph.
