(Red Oak) — Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman provided an update to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday morning on the May 2024 storm damage.
Several tornadoes struck the county in late May 2024, damaging 31 residential properties. Of those, three were destroyed, five sustained significant damage, 11 had minor damage, and 12 were affected to a lesser extent. The county’s communications system also suffered extensive damage.
Hamman reported the total damage estimate at $1,228,089.60. Insurance covered $1,221,232.76, leaving the county with an initial out-of-pocket cost of $6,856.84. After working with FEMA, Hamman recovered $5,828.31, reducing the county’s final net price to $1,028.53.
Hamman also presented a quote from Motorola for replacing a microwave cover that was damaged in June of this year.
Hamman says the cost to repair the cover is $12,097.71. He says the insurance will cover all but $1,000. The Supervisors approved Motorola’s quote.
In addition to tornado damage, flash flooding severely impacted infrastructure, particularly a culvert on J Avenue. The secondary roads department reported losses that included gravel, signage, and extensive tree removal. The Villisca Tower Site was destroyed.
Other storm-related damage included destruction of the county’s 300-foot communications tower, significant damage to Hacklebarney Park, and losses to the street department building, power poles, substations, and other public structures.
