Congressman Jason Smith Meets With Iron County Leaders Over Flood Recovery

Iron Co., Mo. (KFMO) - Congressman Jason Smith met recently in Ironton with Iron County Commissioners Jim Scaggs, Josh Campbell, and Dustin Hinkle to receive an update on the county's ongoing flood recovery efforts.

The flooding caused widespread damage throughout the county, including damage to 14 roads. County Road 65 was among the hardest-hit areas and required five consecutive days of work before it could be made passable again.

"Iron County has taken a brutal hit," Smith said. "Fourteen roads across the county sustained damage, and one of them, County Road 65, took five straight days of work just to become passable again."

Smith said the extent of the destruction is beyond what Iron County can manage on its own.

"This kind of destruction is far beyond what a county this size can handle on its own, and I'm committed to making sure Iron County gets every bit of federal support it needs to recover," Smith said.

Iron County Commissioners initially presented Smith with a damage assessment estimating $12.4 million in infrastructure damage throughout the county.

That figure increased to approximately $19 million following a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment conducted with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency.

The western portion of Iron County, which was among the hardest-hit areas, accounts for an estimated $15.3 million in damage.

Approximately 23 miles of roadway in that part of the county lost an average of two to three feet of roadbed. Some portions of roadway lost as much as six feet of roadbed.

The damage presents a significant financial challenge for Iron County.

County officials say annual revenue is approximately $1.4 million to $1.6 million, while financial reserves have been depleted in recent years by other necessary investments and repairs to county infrastructure.

Commissioners also say the county could need to spend more than $3 million upfront before receiving FEMA reimbursement.

That creates an immediate financial burden as the county works to repair roads and other damaged infrastructure.

Neighboring Washington and St. Francois Counties have provided equipment and manpower to assist Iron County with recovery efforts. Brockmiller Construction has also contributed equipment and personnel.

Smith's office has previously assisted Iron County in securing federal funding. The congressman's office helped obtain the release of $200,000 in FEMA funds that remained owed to the county from tornado damage sustained last year.

The latest meeting focused on the county's current flood recovery needs and the federal assistance that may be available as Iron County continues rebuilding.