Efforts by two area communities could help reduce flood damage in the future.
Poplar Bluff officials hope the creation of some additional flood protection will help residents on the south side of town. They also approved this week the demolition of seven other properties through a flood buyout.
The city of Doniphan is additionally preparing for a flood buyout which would see 12 residential properties purchased and removed in a high flood risk area.
Poplar Bluff wants to take some proactive steps to prevent flooding, city manager Mark Massingham said Monday, in information provided to the city council.
The city is working to increase the height of the levee behind the UPS building on South Broadway, he said. There are also three areas on Ashcroft Road which are a problem when the Black River is high, Massingham continued. The city hopes that building up portions of the road will create a levee for that area.
"When the water gets up, we put the flood wall up. We have to go down and build temporary levees. We're trying to get to where we don't have to do that. It takes a lot of time, a lot of man power," Massingham said.
Poplar Bluff City Council members approved one of two bids for the demolition of seven properties purchased through an ongoing flood buyout project. The properties are located on North Second Street and Grand.
The winning bid was $31,850 from Gary Dornin of Fairdealing, who completed the first set of demolitions under this project.
The flood buyout is a voluntary effort paid for with grant money. A second bid of $48,800 was received from R.L. Persons Construction of Poplar Bluff.
The city of Doniphan has been awarded $451,000 in federal and state money to purchase and remove 12 homes, according to Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission. This is also a voluntary program.
It will take several months for the city to take possession of these properties, according to Doniphan officials.