Port, landowner work with FEMA on Scott City floodplain

The Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency is working on revising its flood hazard determinations for a portion of Scott City.

The project is being overseen by landowner Monty Keesee of Scott City and the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority. Dan Overbey, executive director for the SEMO Port, said the port and Keesee were trying to maintain some land west of County Road 305 and east of Route N and Main Street in Scott City.

Overbey said originally, Keesee believed he had the flood elevation established with FEMA, and he had been working on a subdivision with Scott City.

About 25 acres lie in that area, with about seven acres of which Overbey said was a foot lower than necessary for that area's flood elevation. Overbey said they attempted to raise the ground in that area by moving dirt from the south side of the ditch to the north.

When FEMA revised the floodplain, however, they raised the flood elevation about two feet, Overbey said, which made leveling the dirt more complicated.

Keesee and the SEMO Port began working with Koehler Engineering & Land Surveying to quantify that area based on flood elevations.

On Tuesday, FEMA posted its second notice, asking the public for comments to determine changes about the flood-hazard information.

"[The information may include] addition or modification of base flood elevations, special flood hazard area boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory floodway, for certain locations in this community," the notice stated.

Chris Koehler, an engineer with Koehler Engineering, said the post was a mandatory step to complete the flood-hazard determinations.

Anyone interested in contacting FEMA about the plans can visit fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/bfe or call 1-877-336-2627.

Overbey said the engineers at Koehler Engineering have been helpful in getting the floodplain levels dropped lower to where they were, but still hope they can be lowered further.

Koehler said he was unaware of plans the two partners had for the land.

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

Pertinent address:

Route N and Main Street, Scott City, Mo.