DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Adjustments have been made since historic flooding damaged the Ripley County Sheriff's Department and Doniphan Police Department, but the top law enforcement official at each says its business as usual.
Both departments were forced from their buildings three months ago when Current River inundated downtown Doniphan.
Before Current River crested at 33.13 feet on May 1, the sheriff's department had nearly 1 foot of water in its building, and the police department would end up with more than 5 feet of water inside.
The sheriff's department temporarily relocated to Taylor's K&E Building Supply on Highway 142, about three miles out of town. It returned to its offices at 301 N. Lafayette St. at the end of June; however, work remains to be done.
The Doniphan Police Department still calls bay 12 at the street department's building home and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
"We moved back into our sheriff's office without it being completely remodeled because we were needing the space and separate office space to do our job more efficiently," said Sheriff Mike Barton.
The temporary location, he said, was an open space at the back of a warehouse.
"We just weren't able to do our investigations, take complaints from victims that were coming in" due to the lack of privacy, Barton explained.
The flood waters, according to Barton, damaged from about 10 inches down in the office.
"When the flood came up, it was only in (the building) eight hours or less before the water all receded back down," Barton said.
After the flood, he said, everything was removed and chemically treated for mold and moisture.
The water-damaged sheet rock (about 10 inches) was cut and removed throughout the building, and the carpet also was removed from office spaces, he said.
"We've been working ... that way" since returning, said Barton. "It didn't effect the building, but office to office, the voices carry" through the sheet-rock openings.
Barton described the building as being safe and everything as being back to normal despite the work to be done.
"It's so much nicer to be back in our building with space and privacy," Barton said.
The county commission, Barton said, has sought bids for the work. Several contractors from Ripley and Butler counties, he said, have been in to do measurements in preparation for submitting their bids. The bids were to have been opened on Wednesday.
"It's business as usual," he said. " ... Just because the jail (formerly at the Doniphan Police Department) is not functional in Ripley County, we are still doing our jobs and conducting business. ... If you have a warrant, you will be arrested."
At this time, Barton said, the county's prisoners are being taken to the Wayne County Jail for housing.
It has added time and costs "because naturally you arrest somebody almost on a daily basis," whether on a warrant or a new charge, said Barton, who indicated deputies are running a lot of miles transporting prisoners back and forth.
The commissioners, according to Barton, are on top of working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to get assistance from it.
"We did not have flood insurance because we were out of the flood plain, but the commissioners are working closely with FEMA to get as much assistance as they can for the sheriff's department" and the county as a whole.
Doniphan officials also are waiting to hear from FEMA and the city's insurance carrier as they decide how to proceed, explained police Chief Mark Rodgers.
Bay 12, according to Rodgers, is cozy, maybe even a "little tight," and lacks some of the "better accessories we have at home," but "we're making it work.
"We're set up and ready for business. We're still a little displaced, but we're getting the job done."
The biggest adjustment, Rodgers said, is the lack of prisoners since the city's jail also was flood damaged.
"That's been a smooth adjustment," said Rodgers, who indicated it has been kind of nice not to have the headaches that go with operating a jail.
Many of the inmates held previously in the jail were county prisoners, and sheriff's department personnel have been "moving their own prisoners around" now, Rodgers said. "We have had one prisoner we've had to take to Wayne County since the flood."
Thus far, Rodgers said, his department has been lucky regarding arrestees.
"We haven't picked people up; we have not had people confirm (city) warrants," Rodgers explained. "Our people are dodging us. Now's the time to do it.
"I don't want to be out the expense of taking them to Wayne County."
The future, Rodgers said, remains uncertain.
"There has been no discussion; we are waiting to hear from FEMA and our insurance company," Rodgers said. "Do we want to make this our permanent home, not really.
"Are we making it, yes, we're fine. We're doing business and here to service the public."
It is not known at this time whether the Doniphan city council will return offices to their former location or to a new building.
Rodgers suspects the council members may have some ideas about what to do, but are waiting to see what happens.
"Off the top of my head, if I were in their shoes, I'm not sure I want to spend money to stay in the flood plain," Rodgers said.
Even if another flood of this magnitude doesn't happen again for 20 to 25 years, "someone will have to deal with it," Rodgers said. "If we can make provisions ..."
Rodgers said it also would be his suggestion to make sure the city has earthquake insurance, as "that's the only thing left to get to us."
In addition to the flood, he said, city offices previously had been damaged by fire.
Whatever is decided, Rodgers expects it to be a smooth transition "once everyone figures out what we're doing."