Emergency plans are put to test during ice storm
Marion County Emergency Management Director Michele Abbott-Becker presented an update Monday to Marion County Commission regarding an ice storm that ravaged most of the county.
Abbott-Becker said cost estimates from cities and school districts will qualify the county for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funds.
A minimum of $40,000 in damages are required before FEMA will consider the county eligible for funding.
Early estimates indicate public-funded entities have spent more than $1.5 million thus far in cleanup and restoration of services.
FEMA officials were in Sedgwick County Monday and anticipated being in Marion County in the near future.
Commissioner Dan Holub said he was surprised there weren't generators in the nursing homes and senior centers.
Abbott-Becker said access to an auxiliary form of power is a requirement for the plan which usually means leasing or borrowing a unit.
"Unfortunately, it is difficult to find one to lease during an emergency like this," Abbott-Becker said.
She added that some plans weren't tested until this incident.
Alternate power could have been provided to one facility but couldn't be because the necessary preparation hadn't been completed, Abbott-Becker said.
Some rural residents are still without electricity. Shelters in the cities did accommodate some rural residents.
The county asked for assistance from the American Red Cross but due to road conditions, the organization was not able to help, Abbott-Becker said.
Cots and other items were donated by Coleman Company to Burns Community Center, Abbott-Becker said. The items will remain at the community center for future use.
Cities are responsible for generators and shelters. When the city has exhausted all resources, the county can assist. When the county exhausts all of its resources, then it looks to the state for assistance.
Abbott-Becker also reported there was some damage to computer equipment in the dispatch office. The jail has a generator and when the generator kicked on and off, it was hard on the computer equipment.
A generator for the courthouse was discussed so the building could be used as a shelter and command center. Abbott-Becker said a volunteer base or department heads would need to operate the shelter.
