(Red Oak) Brian Hamman, Montgomery County Emergency Management Director, appeared in front of the Board of Supervisors this (Tuesday) morning and reported four confirmed Tornadoes in the County.
The first Tornado started in the Coburg area. He says Tuesday was the main event with the Tornado that caused damage in Red Oak, and another one confirmed Tornado on Friday morning, precisely at 120th and A up to 100th and B, causing minor home damage, tree damage, and losses to a couple of grain bins.
Hamman says after Friday’s severe weather event, 31 affected residential properties suffered damage, three were destroyed, five sustained major damage, 11 minor, and twelve were affected from Tuesday morning to Friday morning.
According to Hamman, secondary roads took a big hit regarding infrastructure damage, particularly the culvert damage on J Avenue due to flash flooding. Gravel loss, signs, and tree removal also contributed to the damage. He says the Villisca Tower Site has been destroyed.
Hamman says the Public Works area took a $350,000 hit, specifically to the Street Department Building. He says it’s too early to tell whether the structure is a total loss or vehicles were damaged. He says there was a significant loss of power poles, substations, and other structures. He says that Montgomery County received a Presidential Disaster Declaration on Friday afternoon.
Hamman says they are working with the Southwest Foundation to set up a disaster relief fund for people who want to make financial contributions to residents impacted by the tornadoes and severe weather. He says the American Red Cross is canvassing, and FEMA will be there this week.
