The Callaway County Office of Emergency Management is urging locals to document flood damage.
Anyone whose home or business was flooded or damaged in connection with the floods and severe weather from April 29 to the present should photograph the damage and track associated costs.
"They need to take pictures before they clean up," OEM Director Michelle Kidwell said. "I'll try to get out and do documentation before they clean up, too."
Documenting the extent of the damage is important for a couple of reasons, she explained. First, in order to qualify for federal funding related to the ongoing flooding, Missouri must reach a certain damage threshold. Second, it helps ensure aid and resources go to the right place.
"I need people to contact me so I can track where the damage occurred at, in case the declaration happens, they might be able to get some individual assistance through FEMA to help with their repairs and cleanup," Kidwell said.
Kidwell asked those who've been impacted to contact 573-592-2486 or [email protected]. Provide your name, contact information, and the address of the damaged home or business, and someone will respond to help document the damage.
So far, she said she's aware of at least one home that was likely destroyed by flooding - the floods are still too high for her to confirm it - and up to 10 others that likely received damage. If the number of damaged structures turns out to be higher, she may put out a call for volunteers to help with damage assessment, she said.
"There's one Steedman home with major damage, where their basement flooded and the water went clear up to the main level," she added.
What counts as damage worth reporting varies on a case-by-case basis.
"I define it as anything that would overwhelm that homeowner," she said. "If it's something they can take care of as far as debris, we can give them directions about where to take it. But if you get someone who's 80 years old, the floodwater went down, and now they have several large pieces of tree in the yard, they'll need extra help."
Her office can provide "muck-out kits" designed to help clean houses in the wake of flooding, and the Callaway County Health Department has tetanus vaccines and boosters. An up-to-date tetanus immunization is a must-have for those cleaning up flood debris, Kidwell said.
Despite heavy rains during the weekend and predicted precipitation later this week, the Missouri River is expected to continue receding, according to the National Weather Service. As of 10:45 a.m. Monday, the river was at 28.6 feet at Jefferson City - still 5 feet above flood stage.
Even as the river recedes, the floodwaters may linger for weeks or even longer, county officials have warned.