FEMA DIRECTOR PRAISES EFFORTS; CITY PROJECT IMPACT WORK ON DISPLAY

From his seat on a bus during a tour of Cape Girardeau, James Lee Witt observed the projects that have earned the city distinction as a disaster-resistant city.

Witt said the projects also show that Cape Girardeau knows how to develop partnerships needed to get things done.

Witt, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was in Cape Girardeau Friday for official signing ceremonies for Project Impact. The program is a national FEMA initiative that encourages communities to take steps to lessen the impact of a disaster before it happens.

On the tour, Witt saw evidence of nearly half a century of disaster-mitigation efforts in the city ranging from the Mississippi River floodwall to the flood-buyout areas.

Witt spoke at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee and at the ceremony later in the morning.

"I have traveled your riverbanks many times," Witt said. "I have seen people's lives destroyed, communities almost devastated, small businesses impacted that never reopened. We have to do something different."

A flood, tornado or earthquake can't be stopped. "But we can stop that person or community or business from being a victim," Witt said.

Project Impact is only 2 years old. Cape Girardeau is the first Missouri city to earn the designation and accompanying money.

"Cape Girardeau stands in an area that can be disastrous," said Mayor Al Spradling III. The city has seen floods and tornadoes and sits near the New Madrid Fault, an earthquake zone. And the Mississippi River has flooded 16 of the last 20 years.

"We have ongoing flood-mitigation efforts," Spradling said. "Now we are interested in increasing our earthquake mitigation."

Witt said work following the 1993 flood in Missouri and Cape Girardeau showed the value of Project Impact's goals.

"The result of the 1995 flood was far less dramatic," Witt said. "Missouri was prepared and helped prove that mitigation works. You helped open the eyes of the nation."

For every dollar spent in prevention efforts, $2 was saved in disaster response, Witt said. "Our goal is to do more planning and less responding," he said.

FEMA has spent an average of $2.8 billion each year for the past five on disaster response and recovery. Witt hopes Project Impact will eventually mean that half of that money would be available for other expenses like education or health care.

During his visit, Witt saw:

-- The city's water plant intake facility, which was elevated 11 feet in partnership with the Economic Development Administration.

-- Sites of homes flooded in 1993 and 1995 that were bought out in partnership with FEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency, the state Department of Economic Development, the Salvation Army and the Interfaith Coalition.

-- The site of a flooded gas station on North Main that was leveled and underground storage tanks removed in partnership with Missouri's Department of Natural Resources and Department of Economic Development.

-- The floodwall downtown that was constructed in 1956 in partnership with the Corps of Engineers and local property owners.

-- South Sprigg Street, which was elevated out of the flood plain in partnership with the Economic Development Administration.

-- The city's sewage treatment plant, which got emergency power and improved access roads with the Economic Development Administration and FEMA.

-- Cape LaCroix and Walker Creek channels, which were improved to help prevent flash flooding. The project was completed in partnership with the Corps of Engineers and a local tax.

Witt learned:

-- The City Council adopted stormwater runoff regulations in 1989 that require developers to make a plan for handling stormwater.

-- A new Explorer Scout post has been formed with an emphasis on emergency preparedness. The effort includes the Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Southeast Missouri State University, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and the city.

More projects are planned.

-- Seismic valves are to be installed on water tanks to preserve drinking water and prevent flooding that could happen if a water main ruptures.

-- A detention basin is to be built in the northern part of the city to hold stormwater and help prevent flash flooding.

-- Creek-level monitors are to be installed along the Cape LaCroix and Walker channels to alert officials of rising water.

-- The new Mississippi River bridge is being built with seismic design.