Carlton Co. Flood Damages More Than $100M
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Photojournalist:
CARLTON - Carlton Co. officials announced a major increase in damage estimates from the Northland flash flood.
They say new damage estimates are more than $100 million.
"The information that we've received so far indicates that there's been damage in every single township within the county all except two," Carlton Co. Coordinator Dennis Genereau said.
High waters have dried up, but damage estimates are still flooding in.
"At this point in time Carlton Co. estimated conservatively to a sustained $105 million to $135 million in damages," said Genereau.
City officials say with more damage assessments throughout the county's 24 townships, this number could grow bigger.
"Until lake levels in the water table recedes we’re not gonna be able to totally address all of the damages," Moose Lake Flood Manager Tom Paull said.
So far, only a third of flood damaged homes in Carlton Co. have been assessed.
Damage estimates are almost double the previous recorded amount
"Total residents value loss is $19 million plus at this point," said Genereau.
This estimate does not include personal items.
"People lost everything that was in their basement,” said Paull. “They lost their water heaters, their furnaces, their washers, dryers, freezers."
Estimates for HWY 210 coming in at $35 to $40 million and $15 to $30 million for the Willard Munger Trail.
Millions are estimated in damage to businesses.
"We've estimated a 2012 $2.3 million loss," said Genereau.
The county's damages to crops totals $3.4 million.
"Approximately 20 percent of corn and oat crops in the county," said Genereau. “About 25 percent or a quarter of the hay and alphalpha crops in the county.”
City officials say damage assessments are still being done, but now they are moving into the long term recovery phase.
They will look at how other areas hit by natural disasters have dealt with such devastation.
"The long term recovery phase is exactly that, it's a long term recovery," said Genereau. “It takes months in some cases in excess of a year or two."
Officials will look at natural disasters in Iowa and Wadena, Minnesota.
