First of several natural disaster mitigation meetings held
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Local officials held the first of several meetings Monday night aimed at reducing the cost and damage of natural disasters, particularly flooding and severe storms.
The pre-disaster flood mitigation plan is a long-term goal of Saline County, according to county Emergency Management Agency Director Allan Ninness.
"This is a big task we have; we started back in 2008," Ninness said.
County officials, along with representatives of Harrisburg, Stonefort, Carrier Mills and Galatia are looking at drafting a flood mitigation plan, then receiving grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to carry out the goals outlined in the plan.
The plan will unfold over the course of six meetings, which will be held in the coming months.
"This is our building block we can use to ask for mitigation funds," Ninness said.
The county is working with Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to write the plan and grant applications.
The most likely problems in Saline County are severe storms, flooding and winter storms, according to Beth Ellison of SIU-C.
Federal funding for natural disasters has increased significantly in recent years. About $3.9 billion was spent on declared disasters from 1980 to 1989; $25.4 billion was spent from 1990-1999; and at least $20 billion was spent from 2000-2010, according to Ron Davis of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. Disaster mitigation aims at reducing the outlay after natural disasters by taking preventative steps.
The second meeting, which has not yet been scheduled, will include discussion of hazards, risk and disaster probability, Ellison said. A risk assessment will be drafted at the third meeting. The fourth meeting will include a review of the draft and some development of strategies for mitigation. At the fifth and sixth meeting, officials will correct and adopt the plan for approval by FEMA.
IEMA and FEMA will want as much public participation as possible at the third meeting, Ellison said.
"We have a good turnout (tonight), but we want an even better turnout. That's your assignment," Ellison said.
SIU is doing the bulk of the work at the beginning, but "We want to keep you involved. This is your plan," Ellison said.
Wish lists
The county, Harrisburg and Carrier Mills all have goals they hope to meet with mitigation funding.
Saline County is eyeing purchase of several homes on South Fork Road and Ingram Hill Road that are chronic problem areas when the Saline River floods with Ohio River backwater. All the houses under consideration were damaged during the last flood.
"There are also some on the north end of Muddy," Jeff Jones, county National Flood Insurance Program coordinator, said.
The county may also look into elevating some areas if mitigation funds are awarded.
Harrisburg officials are looking into elevating Missouri Street, City Council member Ron Fearheiley said. Some properties could be bought out on Club Street, including about five mobile homes, Fearheiley said. Some property on Missouri Street could also be purchased with flood mitigation money.
The area on the south side of state Route 13 near the Gaskins City ball diamonds could also be purchased to alleviate property damage, Fearheiley said.
Much of the flooding in Carrier Mills can be traced to bad drainage of ditches behind Gribble Drive and out Tuller Road southeast of town, Village Board member David Kyle said.
"The village would like to see if there is any money we can get for an excavating outfit to gut those ditches so they can clear water," Kyle said.