Davison County Emergency Management Director Jeff Bathke has issued a flooding update:
Creeks, streams and rivers have crested. Unless we receive additional precipitation or extreme melting, we should be on the downhill slide. We have uploaded the PDM Process video and the spreadsheet to http://www.davisoncounty.org/ under the HWY and EM tabs. Any entity will need to complete the spreadsheet and submit photos, documents, etc. for reimbursement.
-Mt. Vernon is currently in good shape, with sandbags available at the Post Office.
-Ethan has ensured all culverts are open. Public Works is looking into discharging lagoons as they have filled up. A few houses had water in the basement.
-Mitchell provided several pallets of filled sandbags to residents in need. Massive amounts of water are entering Lake Mitchell via Firesteel Creek. Firesteel Creek crested at 14.29’ on 3-21-19, was at 14.25’ on 3-22 and expected to gradually decrease. Mark went upstream and observed water levels starting to recede. The lake is still covered in ice, which may cause shore damage when it starts to move. A boat dock was taken away with ice and pinned against the west end bridge. The sandbag station is set up as self-serve at the street shop on 8th St.
Sanborn BLVD, North Foster, and East Havens have deteriorated and being repaired the best they can be. City Utility Crews have removed snow and ice from storm inlets, ensured culverts are open, and that the Dry Run Creek drainage way is clear of debris. Water levels continue to be monitored.
Approximately 1/3 of the gravel roadway access to the Wastewater Treatment plant has experienced significant washout from the storm and needs to be rebuilt.
The Wastewater Treatment plant experienced flooding during the storm. Bank and shore material is significantly eroded along the bank adjacent to the treatment plant next to the creek. Crews are assessing any additional potential damage.
Two residential homes on S. Harmon Dr. experienced flooding and possible sanitary sewer backup. Two additional residential homes in the City, one at 927 E 3rd Ave and 523 S. Montana St. have reported foundation failure and basement cave in due to flooding, which has been verified by City of Mitchell personnel.
-Davison County-EM has given out 16,000 sandbags to residents and municipalities. We have been monitoring roads, bridges, etc. and relaying the information to Public Works. The National Weather Service Monitor on the James River was at 22.48’ on 3-22 and expected to hit 22.6’ later in the day Friday, then expected to gradually decrease. The crest of 23-24’ was not shown on the monitor, so Jeff contacted NWS for more information. According to the NWS, unless we get some heavier rains late next week, we are looking at two crests near the 22′ level. The first will be this weekend, and the second will be mid to late next week with just a small decrease in between those. A sandbag station has been set up for county residents at the HWY Shop on the end of 5th St. (due to mud we do not want them accessing this from 8th St.). On Friday three Volunteers from the Woonsocket Fire Department filled approximately 100 bags for anyone who is unable to fill themselves. They were thanked accordingly.
We anticipate several homes will be affected due to saturated soil, but the rising water should have an impact, as we are on the downhill slide.
Current bridge/road closures are: (These are also uploaded to the HWY and EM tabs on the website)
| Start Closure-Road Closed-End Closure |
| 410 Ave-245th St-411 Ave. |
| 244 St -406 Ave -245 St |
| 253 St -407 Ave -254 St |
| 407 Ave -246 St -408 Ave |
| 261 St -409 Ave -263 St |
| 409 Ave -261 St -410 Ave |
| 400 Ave -250 St -401 Ave |
| 248 St -398 Ave -247 St |
| 250 St -402 Ave -252 St |
| 394 Ave-253 St-395 Ave |
| Intersection of 252 St. & 394 Ave. |
| Intersection of 253 St. & 394 Ave. |
| 398th Ave-253 St.-400 Ave. |
| Shanard Rd at the James River Bridge |
HWY 38, 250th, and 247th are good. Several bridges/roads on Firesteel Creek are flooded, but are starting to recede. The Railroad going east out of Mitchell is good. Water was moving at all these locations, but large chunks of ice coming downstream may cause ice jams. Kibbee Ditch, Enemy Creek, North and South Fork of 12 Mile Creek, and the James River are expected to have flooding concerns.
Due to the expected dollar amount of damage to county and township roads, we will request a disaster declaration; which will add Davison County to the list of those requesting FEMA Public Assistance Funds. The FEMA Public Assistance program provides federal reimbursement to state, local, and tribal governments and certain private non-profits for damage to public infrastructure; such as roads, bridges, culverts, sewer lift stations, and powerlines. A disaster declaration must be declared at each level of government affected. There is no guarantee of federal disaster funding.