Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery presented two grant opportunities to the county commissioners Monday morning for approval.
One grant is the 2017 Emergency Management Performance Grant. He said this FEMA grant money can be used for training and exercise.
Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery has placed the county under a “watch” level travel advisory. He urges essential travel only.
The amount of rain we’ve seen over the last few days is not a cause for concern, according to Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery.
He said the areas that normally see high water or minor flooding issues did experience those issues over the weekend.
“We did have some roads that were closed due to high water again,” said Avery. “We were fortunate that we didn’t get the heavy rain that occurred Friday night and again Sunday afternoon so that spared us from additional flooding concerns.”
The county will receive funds for the emergency management agency director’s salary.
Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery asked the county council this week for permission to apply for the 2016 performance grant. Avery explained that the grant will pay for half of his salary from last year in the amount of $22,000. It’s an annual grant that the county receives every year as Avery qualifies for certain requirements during the year. The council approved the request and complimented him on his continued efforts as head of the EMA.
Rain in the area has precipitated a rather soggy start to the Spring season. Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery says low-lying area flooding is always a concern.
“People who live in areas who normally see flooding may see some flooding now,” said Avery. “Fortunately for us, the ground has thawed so the water is able to be absorbed. Most of the rivers are well below flood level right now but we’ll have to keep monitoring the river levels because we’re anticipating even more rain into early next week.”
It’s best to be prepared for any type of severe weather at any time.
Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery urges residents to be aware of all types of severe weather that can impact our area.
The Marshall County Emergency Management Agency has had $246,000 in grant funding requests denied by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Continue reading
Marshall County is hoping to make some security upgrades to the courthouse and County Building, thanks to a $150,000 IPEP grant. Continue reading
The Marshall County Emergency Management Performance Competitive Grant (EMPG) will be used for a different project.
Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery told the commissioners this week that the $8,485.29 grant was to be used for an Emergency Operations Center exercise, but it was canceled due to lack of interest.
“I did meet with the EMA Advisory Board and asked what they wanted to do with that money because I did not want to give it back to the State. They came up with a couple of recommendations. We purchased some additional emergency alert radios, and we also will be purchasing some additional preparedness materials to distribute to the folks in the community. That will take care of that grant.”
As we turn the corner into spring, the weather will become more volatile.
The observation of Severe Weather Preparedness Week is underway, and Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery says it’s a time to alert the public about the hazards of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Meteorologists will be using terms like severe thunderstorm watch, and severe thunderstorm warning and Avery says it’s important that residents know the difference.
“Watches indicate that conditions are favorable for severe weather and that people should keep an eye to the sky. They should monitor local news media outlets that provide information regarding severe weather. A warning means that severe weather is imminent or is actually occurring, and residents need to take some sort of safety action,” explained Avery.
There’s a chance for you to get a free NOAA Weather/All Hazard Alert Radio next week.
Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery says the effort is part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week next week.
“We’re going to be giving away a limited number of all hazard emergency alert radios that were provided to us by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, as well as some that I was able to purchase through some grant funds that were available,” said Avery.
These radios allow residents to get immediate weather information.
Rapid melting of snow could lead to minor flooding issues as temperatures warm up this week.
Snow melt and frozen ground will prevent the water from being absorbed. The National Weather Service says this combination will result in flooding of low lying areas, ponding on roads, and a rise in water levels in ditches, creeks and retention ponds.
Weather officials believe that river flooding will not be a concern at this time.
Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery said that no flood watches or warnings have been issued. He does encourage those who live in flood-prone areas to take precautions to prevent flooding. Never allow children to play near flooded areas. Do not drive around barricades that are blocking roads that are flooded. Road beds may be washed out by flood waters.
Marshall County residents can pick up sand and sandbags at the old EMA office located just north of the Marshall County Highway garage at 9515 King Road. For more information, contact the Marshall County Management Agency at (574) 936-3740.
The travel advisory level in Marshall County has been lowered.
According to Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery, road conditions have improved so the commissioners have determined that an advisory level travel status be issued. An advisory travel level means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation and drivers should use caution or avoid those areas.
Avery reminds motorists that roads remain snow-covered and slick in spots. Reduce speed and leave ample room between you an other vehicles to help prevent accidents.
Marshall County officials have initiated an advisory level travel restriction due to blowing and drifting snow.
Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery said that roads remain snow covered and slick. North winds are causing drifting issues on east/west roads in the county. Temperatures are expected to be below zero tonight which will turn slush into ice. This will create a hazardous travel condition. Wind chills are also expected to be below zero.
An advisory level travel restriction means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation and drivers should use caution or avoid those areas.
The Marshall County Emergency Management Agency, sheriff’s department and highway department are prepared for any type of weather situation, including snow.
Director Clyde Avery said he and the Marshall County Commissioners will be following the state criteria when coming to decisions about travel restrictions. There are three categories for those restrictions. The lowest level is advisory.
Sprint has reimbursed the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency for the interference issue with the county’s telecommunications system. Continue reading
Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery presented the commissioners with a grant sub agreement for their signatures for a competitive EMPG grant that the county received in the amount of $8,485.29.
Avery explained that the grant is a reimbursable grant that will be used for a training exercise and educational material for the public. When he originally requested to apply for the grant, he wanted to purchase recording equipment for the Emergency Operations Center but he found out that could not be approved with the grant funds.
Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery will be receiving a $8,485.29 grant as the county council this week approved his request to apply for the grant.
The initial purpose of Indiana Department of Homeland Security reimbursable grant was to purchase recording equipment for the Emergency Operations Center, but Avery told WKVI News that the equipment is not on the approved list for the grant.
Instead, Avery will utilize the Emergency Management Performance Competitive Grant in an equally effective manner.
Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery told the commissioners this week that the county is eligible for the Emergency Management Performance Competitive Grant, but the equipment requested in the grant may not be approved by the state.
Avery explained that he would like to reevaluate the use of the grant if the state will not approve recording equipment that Avery feels is necessary for the Emergency Operations Unit.
“The recording equipment that I had requested to purchase off this grant is apparently is not on the approved equipment list so I’m waiting to see if Indianapolis will approve that,” said Avery. “If they will not approve it, I would like to adjust the projects I’d like to do with the funding – primarily an EOC functional exercise for next year. We can test our plan to see if it’s going to work the way that we hope it’ll work if we activate the Emergency Operations Center.”
