Jefferson County - East-West Gateway Coordinating Council

12
Jefferson County – Section 2
Flood damages to the electrical power distribution system were collected through
discussions with local, regional and state officials, the FEMA DSRs and officials of the
involved electric companies. Variables are presented for number of companies affected,
number of customers affected, dollar damages to the companies and revenues lost. The
final utilities variable, utility systems - general, was a catchall variable but was specifically
used in the St. Louis District counties to report gas utility company damages. That
information was obtained from gas company officials. Otherwise, the FEMA DSRs were the
primary sources for utility damages not specifically assignable.
FIGURE J22 EMERGENCY EXPENSES
Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The two emergency cost variables are the emergency preparedness and response costs and
the evacuation costs. The former was primarily derived from the FEMA DSRs, with
supplemental data coming from some local and regional officials. The latter variable came
from these same sources, as well as the Red Cross and FEMA Disaster Field Offices. The
final variable, crisis counseling, was derived from FEMA reports and state sources. Refer to
Figure J22 above.
According to the Department of Economic Development and Department of Labor and
Industrial Relations, employment impact and the occurrence of the 1993 floods did not
show a direct correlation in the Jefferson County area. July, August, September, October
and November’s unemployment rate are as follows: 6.6, 6.4, 5.4, 5.2, and 5.1,
respectively. The region was just recovering from a recession and the rates reflect a higher
than normal unemployment rate due to the recession. The decrease in the unemployment
rate from August to September was the result of the student population going back to
school. In addition, manufacturing industries were closed for up to two weeks and
incurred damages.