Flood prep topic of Gallatin EMA annual meeting

Emergency medical personnel, firefighters and Emergency Management Agency volunteers gathered in the fire station in Ridgway for an annual planning meeting Thursday evening.

The levels of local rivers were discussed first.

"The crest is six days off," said Steve Galt, Emergency Management coordinator for Gallatin County, on Thursday. "We have 3 inches of rain coming this weekend, major roads will be closed at 48 ft."

The National Weather Service website reported the Shawneetown river stage to be 45.33 feet at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The crest is to be at 48.8 feet Friday, and lowering should begin Saturday, according to the Web site.

Allan C. Ninness, Saline County Emergency Management coordinator said, "The ground is already super soft so if a vehicle goes off the roadway it will get stuck immediately."

"The state is aware of our situation and they have called Saline County dispatchers and asked them to get a list of available boats ready," said Ninness.

Galt informed the assembled volunteers that there were plenty of spare parts for drag lines if they were needed by any department.

Ninness said, "Saline and Gallatin work well together. We get good response from the churches and civic groups of the community. We need your e-mail addresses to notify you when training will be available. I am qualified to teach haz-mat for those needing that training. Steve said he wanted to get a class together."

Galt said, "We need a county-wide class."

The meeting was preceded by a meal of ham sandwiches and chili.