Benton County Judge Barry Moehring signed two disaster declarations in the month of October. The preliminary damage assessments for both the flooding and tornado events are completed. Benton County now is waiting on disaster declaration determinations from the State & FEMA. The Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) for the October 6th flooding event totaled almost $1.5 million. This surpasses the $849,942 threshold damage amount. If a state disaster declaration is issued for this event, Benton County and the municipalities will be reimbursed 35% of the actual cost to repair the damages to pre-disaster condition. The PDA for the October 21st tornado event totaled $6.5 million in losses. This surpasses the just under $4.5 million threshold damage amount. If a presidential disaster declaration is issued for this event, Benton County, the cities and non-profits that suffered losses will be reimbursed 75% of the actual cost to repair damages to pre-disaster conditions....
Read MoreBenton County Judge Barry Moehring, in partnership with the National Trail of Tears Association and the National Park Service Department of the Interior, will recognize the route with signs in the Cross Hollow area. Benton County Judge Barry Moehring and National Trail of Tears Association Executive Director Troy Wayne Poteete will speak at a sign installation ceremony on Tuesday, October 22nd at 3:00 p.m. at the intersection of South Old Wire Road & Dogwood Avenue. Old Wire Road is part of the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears which began in Tennessee and ended along the western border separating Arkansas from Indian Territory. This two-mile stretch of road is the longest-known segment of road traveled on the Northern Route by Cherokee Removal in the late 1830’s. Eleven signs will be installed along Old Wire Road to preserve the historical significance. All are welcome to attend this ceremony. Please...
Read MoreA disaster declaration for the severe weather event on Monday, October 21st, 2019 allows Benton County and cities within to obtain assistance from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. Due to the severity and broad damage of Monday’s storm event, Benton County Judge Barry Moehring signed an Emergency Disaster Declaration on Monday, October 21st, 2019. Damage was primarily caused by high speed winds that toppled trees, power lines and also damaged structures. The National Weather Service has confirmed that the high speeds winds were attributed to at least one tornado and straight-line winds. The declaration allows Benton County and affected cities to request assistance from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) for un-insured public sector damages attributed to the storm and repair structures to pre-disaster conditions. “Given the property damage I’ve seen from touring the impacted areas, I believe a declaration is appropriate,” said Benton County Judge Moehring....
Read MoreA disaster declaration for the flash flooding event on Sunday, October 6th, 2019 allows Benton County and cities within to obtain assistance from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. Benton County Judge Barry Moehring signed an Emergency Disaster Declaration on Thursday, October 10th, 2019 for the significant severe weather and flooding event from Sunday, October 6th, 2019. During this weather event, portions of Benton County received an average of 12 inches of rain which caused widespread flash flooding and at one time closed nearly 80 roads in unincorporated Benton County. This declaration requests public assistance for roads and bridges from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and allows ADEM to reimburse Benton County and participating cities for 35% of the cost to repair structures to pre-disaster conditions. In order to qualify for assistance from ADEM, Benton County must meet a damage amount of at least $849,942. As of...
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