Plymouth County Emergency Services Manager, Duane Walhof shows Plymouth County Board of Supervisors a satellite photo of the area west of Westfield that could be threaten by additional flooding.
(Le Mars) — Acting under the jurisdiction of the Westfield Drainage Board, the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors approved a plan on Tuesday to make the necessary repairs to a series of levees and bunkers to help protect the town of Westfield’s sewage lagoon from further future flooding. Plymouth County Engineer Tom Rohe and Plymouth County Emergency Services Manager, Duane Walhof both appeared before the county supervisors to report on the current condition of the lagoon and surrounding levees. Walhof calls the scenario an “emergency situation.”
Supervisor Craig Anderson asked Walhof if the Federal Emergency Management Administration would provide money for the repair work. Walhof replied by saying he believes FEMA would eventually reimburse the county for the incurred expenses to repair the levee, but he informed the county governing board that they should consider repairing the levee immediately, and not wait for FEMA’s funding or approval before work on the levee begins. Supervisor chairman Don Kass inquired how high is the water that threatens the sewage lagoon.
The supervisors asked Tom Rohe if he has any available fill dirt that is accessible within close distance in order to make the repairs.
Rohe estimated the cost to make the necessary repairs at between $15,000 to $25,000. Fortunately, the drainage district in question, according to Plymouth County Auditor Stacey Feldman has reserve funds amounting to approximately $90,000 that can be utilized for the repair work. The sewage lagoons lie nearly a mile west of Westfield. Walhof says the Big Sioux River has the potential to flood the lagoons at a couple different locations. Rohe reported to the supervisors that he thought it may be up to two weeks before county employees could start working on the project. He says they are still busy trying to repair all the roads that were damaged by the floods. The supervisors approved action to hire a contractor to make the necessary repairs if the contractor is immediately available, or as soon as possible.
