Due to an imminent threat of flooding, an emergency meeting of the Parkville Board of Aldermen was called on Saturday afternoon and resulted in a declaration of an “Emergency Disaster Situation.”
New information released by the Army Corps of Engineers reveal the potential for more extensive flooding than originally expected through inundation maps which were made public on late Friday evening.
“You know you're in bad news when the name of the map is inundation,” said Mayor Gerry Richardson.
The problem has originated from upstream reservoirs on the Missouri River which have swelled due to record rains and unmelted snow. The mayor informed members of the board that the peak release of South Dakota’s Gavins Point Dam will occur on June 15. Chief of Police, Kevin Chrisman said Parkville should anticipate a big mass of water just three days later.
A two phase plan was presented by the city which includes lower and upper level stages. Phase 1, which includes several storage areas located south of the railroad tracks on Main Street, is “absolutely” going to flood, said Public Works Director, Kirk Rome. Officials have cautioned tenants of storage areas in the lower area to evacuate immediately
A database of property owners who may be affected is currently being developed by the city and Economic Development Director, Jenni Glass is coordinating relocation possibilities for businesses.
Carol Kuhns, who chairs the downtown community group, Main Street Parkville Association, is looking at the possibility of canceling contracts with vendors for all summer festivals including River Jam and the 4th of July Celebration.
County emergency workers are warning that the elevated flood levels may carry over through September which also puts Parkville Days in jeopardy.
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