FEMA Flood Mitigation Project Will Help Allamakee Co. Save Thousands Of Dollars
Release Date: April 3, 2009
Release Number: 1763-231
» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
WAUKON, Iowa -- Repairs to a section of gravel road leading to a canoe launch site on the banks of the Upper Iowa River, damaged by severe storms and flooding last spring, were performed to higher standards that will help protect the road against future destruction.
"With FEMA's assistance toward this project, the state of Iowa is now better prepared for future flood events, while saving taxpayers' dollars during this difficult economic season," said Iowa Governor Chet Culver. "This is a good example of the progress that can be made simply by working together with one goal in mind; rebuilding Iowa safer, stronger, and better than before."
At the request of Gov. Culver, the President signed a major disaster declaration for Iowa as a result of the storms, flood waters and tornados which hit the state between May 25 and August 13.
Sections of the road bed and embankment were damaged in June of 2008 when heavy rains fell across the state. A 30-inch reinforced concrete culvert pipe which ran under the entrance of the road was also exposed and the sections separated.
Another 24-inch culvert, which ran parallel to the road and empties in a ditch running into the river, was also clogged with soil and debris.
An application for funding was made to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Public Assistance Program to assist in the cost of repairing the damaged road.
In most cases, Public Assistance repair and restoration funding brings the damaged infrastructure back to pre-disaster conditions.
However, a major FEMA and Iowa's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) policy goal is to mitigate, where it is cost effective, when restoring damaged infrastructure so the repaired facility is better able to withstand future disaster damages. A little extra money spent now may save untold funds later.
For this particular project, the 30-inch reinforced concrete culvert was replaced with a corrugated metal pipe 12 inches larger in diameter and added a corrugated metal pipe apron at both the inlet and outlet to help disburse the water and help minimize erosion.
In addition, the 24-inch corrugated metal pipe was replaced with a 48-inch corrugated metal pipe. An additional 56 feet was added to the pipe's length, as well as adding an apron at the inlet. A one-way steel flap gate was placed at the outlet to prevent flood water from backing up into the pipe.
The original cost to repair the road and culverts would have been $31,296. The mitigation construction on the project was an additional $16,501 to bring the total cost of the project to $47,798.
However, the potential savings for the next flood event is $31,300.
"This is an excellent example of a modest investment in infrastructure improvements that will pay dividends for years to come," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Parker.
"In Iowa, we know that investing in mitigation not only lessens the impact of a disaster on a community, but is also a smart way of doing business," said David Miller, administrator of the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division.
Among the recovery programs activated by the declaration was the Public Assistance Program. This program reimburses eligible government jurisdictions and certain non profits for costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair or restoration of damaged public infrastructure.
FEMA provides 90 percent of the grant funding. The state pays the remaining 10 percent. FEMA's share of the Allamakee County mitigation project was $43,018.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Thursday, 09-Apr-2009 16:07:21