Caruthersville gets 'blueprint for recovery'

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Rebuilding tornado-devastated Caruthersville is expected to take up to five years, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency has presented the city with a guidebook for recovery.

FEMA has 44 pages of suggestions -- some more critical than others -- that will be the foundation for rebuilding the 60 percent of Caruthersville destroyed by an F3 tornado April 2.

The suggestions range from using affordable-housing concepts to constructing a public safety building to renovating the armory as an arts and community center. With each suggestion are steps to complete the task and possible funding sources.

"It's more of a blueprint for recovery," said FEMA spokeswoman Paddy Burrato. "Now that the city has the plan, it can be used as a road map for rebuilding and moving beyond the devastating tornado."

Caruthersville Mayor Diane Sayre said the biggest challenge will be meeting long-term housing needs.

"People are rebuilding their homes, and we're very encouraged because they haven't given up hope. We're going to come back strong and vital, but it's going to take some time," Sayre said.

The tornado destroyed approximately 240 homes and severely damaged another 375. FEMA has set up a park with 133 mobile homes, but residents can only live in the temporary housing for another 12 months.

The city is seeking grants to hire a housing coordinator -- one of FEMA's suggestions -- who would be in charge helping residents rebuild, repair or apply for housing assistance.

FEMA's plan also suggests applying for a Missouri Housing Development Commission subdivision infrastructure loan. The loan would finance 100 percent of costs for infrastructure improvements, which includes repairing streets and sidewalks.

"We're going to try and maximize all the resources we can get from the state," said Rep. Terry Swinger, D-Caruthersville.

Swinger said the city will apply for status as a DREAM community.

Gov. Matt Blunt unveiled the DREAM -- Downtown Revitalization Economic Assistance for Missouri -- Initiative in June. The program will provide planning and financial assistance to six to 10 communities in the state for a period of three years.

Swinger believes Caruthersville has a good chance of receiving DREAM status. "I know a lot people are dedicated to helping out our community. I can't think of one community more deserving of it than we are," he said.

FEMA's plan says repairing or rebuilding the high school should be one of the city's top priorities.

"The issue with the school is an important one. I know the school board and officials are discussing it, but I don't think they're sure what they will do yet," Sayre said.

Caruthersville superintendent Nick Thiele was not available for comment on Wednesday.

FEMA still has a presence in the city, but Burrato said there are fewer FEMA representatives in Caruthersville than a couple of months ago. "We're in the long-term recovery stage of disaster assistance," she said. "People will continue to serve the needs of those that were affected, but it's starting to wind down."

The suggestions outlined in FEMA's plan were based on input from Caruthersville residents. Burrato said FEMA doesn't usually outline plans for disaster recovery unless the destruction is devastating.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246

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A CLOSER LOOK

The Federal Emergency Management Agency Recovery Plan suggests:

Build and repair housing for homeowners

* Build and repair housing for renters

* Use affordable-housing concepts

* Establish a housing assistance strategy/program

* Redevelop the FEMA mobile home group site

* Implement the Missouri Housing Development Commission Subdivision Infrastructure Loan Program

* Revitalize neighborhoods

* Redevelop certain areas

* Property acquisition program

* Demolition/debris removal program

* Create a downtown revitalization program

* Obtain designation as a DREAM Initiative community

* Enhance and expand downtown events

* Develop a community art and mural program

* Create community gateways and entrances

* Expand and enhance the riverfront opportunities

* Rehabilitate the Pemiscot County Park and establish a walking trail to Reynolds Park

* Create an economic development plan

* Create work-force development

* Expand an existing or establish a new community development corporation

* Develop a marketing strategy

* Repair or rebuild the high school

* Construct a public safety building

* Renovate the Armory as an arts and community center