COLUMBIANA COUNTY Officials begin water damage evaluation

Local governments could be eligible for federal disaster aid.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
LISBON -- The weather map on the computer screen showed approaching hot air that, combined with moisture, was predicted to bring more rain.
Jay Carter, director of the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency, looked at the screen in his headquarters.
"If it doesn't rain more, I'll be tickled to death," Carter said Thursday.
Federal, state, county, city, village and township officials gathered at the EMA on Thursday to begin a preliminary assessment of storm and flooding damage. Local officials represented subdivisions throughout the county.
East Palestine alone has already reached $4.7 million in damages, according to City Manager Gary Clark.
Heavy rain and snow in recent years, "has been very, very expensive weather," Clark said.
The assessment could result in local governments being declared eligible for federal disaster aid. Private property has already been declared eligible for such aid.
Local officials briefly told representatives of the federal and Ohio emergency management agencies about flooded sewer plants, road damage, and downed trees. Under the regulations, local governments could also get compensation for other storm-related costs such as overtime for safety forces.
John A. Spoff, a planner with the state EMA, said local officials should take federal and state officials to the site of the worst damage in their jurisdiction.
A series of inspections were scheduled and officials hit the road. The inspections were expected to take several days.
Technically, the inspections were only to look at storm damage from May 17-21, Spoff said. In reality, he said officials will obviously see the damage that occurred before, and through, this week.
Damage assessment
Gary E. Phillips, Leetonia's administrator, estimated that recent storms have caused about $250,000 in damage to village property.
Leetonia's sewer plant had been damaged but is back up and running. That included drying out some electrical equipment that is back in operation but will wear out quickly.
He said he knows 80-year-olds who have never seen this much moisture.
The record-breaking weather has caused damage, but Phillips thinks mankind has also played a role. Development in southern Mahoning County paved lots of ground, which increased water runoff.
Phillips suggested some sort of water retention system to ease flooding, adding, "We need to come up with some up with some long-term solutions."
Spoff added, "We've had too much water for too much time."
Water, he said, "is kind of wicked" as it destructively seeks the lowest spot.
Spoff said there could be a saying: "Don't put salt in the wound, and don't put water in the hole."
wilkinson@vindy.com