(Red Oak) During Tuesday’s Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting, Brian Hamman, the Emergency Management Coordinator, shared some positive updates regarding the county’s expenses following the tornado on May 21.
The twister caused significant damage to the county, particularly at Hacklebarney Woods Park, and destroyed the communications tower near Villisca. Hacklebarney Woods Park, managed by the Montgomery County Conservation Board and includes two campgrounds, a lake, a pond, picnic areas, a picnic shelter, and hiking/equestrian trails, suffered an estimated $304,000 in damages. Thanks to insurance coverage, FEMA’s contribution to the deductibles, and volunteer help, the county’s out-of-pocket cost for the damage is just under $4,000.00.
The tornado caused over one million dollars in damage to the communications tower site, with the majority of the damage to the tower itself. Hamman says currently, the county is looking at an out-of-pocket cost of $5,300.00. He says that if the county receives the maximum eligible amount from FEMA, it would look at a net expense of $300.00. County Supervisor Donna Robinson commended Hamman for his involvement in dealing with the insurance claims and FEMA.
Meanwhile, Motorola submitted a bid of one million-eighty-two-thousand-980 dollars, including a complete tower rebuild. The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the bid.
The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes on May 21 in Montgomery County. An EF1 tornado developed near Evergreen Avenue and tracked over open fields toward the northeast. Emergency management drone imagery shows the exact track of the tornado through the field, including where it turned toward the east for a bit. The tornado crossed the Nishnabotna River while turning slightly to the northeast again, causing substantial tree damage near the river. It then severely damaged a building at the city water facility, knocking out all doors and a wall. It continued to cause tree damage but weakened quickly as it moved northeast, dissipating just before reaching Broadway Street in Red Oak. The tornado started at 2:35 p.m. and ended at 2:40 p.m., traveling 2.95 miles. The estimated peak winds were 107 mph.