Emergency manager: Crawford County storms caused road and equipment damage but fell short of state aid threshold

Emergency Manager Quinton Parsons reported to the Crawford County Board of Commissioners on June 26 that a state disaster was declared for the county on June 14 but local damage did not meet the $189,000 threshold required for state assistance. Parsons estimated roughly $30,000 in road and equipment damage and said overtime expenses for police and fire added about $1,000.

"We did not meet the damage threshold of $189,000," Parsons said, and he told commissioners the week-of-storms total had been lumped for review but still fell short. Parsons also reported 31 water-assist rescues from the June 13 event and noted there was an additional water rescue reported the night before the meeting.

Chairman Bruce Blair and Commissioner Carl Wood described ongoing localized flooding in McCune and Walnut. Blair said crews were working on repairs and directed Parsons to "do what he thinks they should" and to contact the State for follow-up. Parsons said staff posted guidance on county Facebook pages asking residents to report damages and reminded the public that FEMA will not cover losses if homeowners have insurance coverage for the damage.

Why it matters: the county’s damage estimate is below the statutory threshold for state public-assistance programs, meaning local repair costs remain the county’s responsibility unless additional damage pushes the total above required limits. Parsons told commissioners they could pursue another declaration if new storm reports raise the damage total.

What’s next: Parsons said he would call the State to discuss next steps and that the county could consider filing another declaration if further assessments warrant it.