Damage assessments underway in flooded areas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Damage assessments began Tuesday in flooded counties after water overtopped and breached dozens of levees last week.

Joint state and federal teams started their work in Atchison, Clay, DeKalb and Jackson counties. Assessments of at least a dozen other flood-damaged counties were planned, the State Emergency Management Agency said.

The water levels weren't as high as forecasters initially predicted, but still reached near-record levels in some areas. One death has been blamed on the flooding -- a St. Joseph man who had a heart attack May 6 while helping with evacuations.

The worst flood damage was reported in the northwest Missouri community of Big Lake in Holt County, whereas many as 475 homes were flooded.

Holt County officials reported Tuesday that they are working with Big Lake to re-establish government. And state officials were working to ship more tetanus shots to the area because floodwater carries disease.

In Livingston County, water was being rationed in the communities of Ludlow, Mooresville and Utica after a water line broke during the flooding. Repair crews can't locate the broken line because it's covered with water, said Ken Lauhoff, the county's associate commissioner.

He said there is still water in the water tower, but the supply is limited.

SEMA was working with the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Social Services and volunteer agencies to get additional water to the area.