 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Missouri Floods Are Costly For Those Caught Unprepared ST. CHARLES COUNTY, (SLFP.com), May 1, 2002 - City officials are encouraging residents and business owners concerned about flooding in their area to consider the option of flood insurance. Major flooding in Missouri can occur at any time of the year and cause millions of dollars of damage over a wide area. "Flood insurance helps businesses and private citizens recover after a flood," said Steve Lauer, Director of Planning and Floodplain Administrator for St. Charles County. In an announcement, he stated that "St. Charles County encourages citizens concerned about flooding in their area to consider the option of flood insurance." St. Charles County, bordered by the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, has approximately 43% of its land within the floodplain. This location necessitates advanced floodplain management and flood mitigation activities to protect and assist citizens living in those areas. While severe flooding usually comes in cycles, it is not limited to certain decades or areas, the National Weather Service warns. Between 1993-2001, Missouri received ten Presidential Declarations for Flooding that exceeded local and state response capabilities. In addition, each year Missouri communities experience numerous localized flooding events that do not merit a federal disaster declaration. If there is no federal disaster declaration, flood insurance is the only financial protection for personal losses. Flood insurance is not provided in the basic homeowner's, business or tenant's policy and must be purchased under a separate policy through a local insurance agent in communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). St. Charles County is one of 562 flood-prone areas in the State of Missouri that participates in the NFIP. As part of the program, the county agreed to regulate floodplain development in order to make flood insurance available in that community. "Homeowners then have the option to buy the insurance or remain at risk to floods without any coverage," said Mr. Lauer. Residents need not live in an actual floodplain to be exposed to serious flooding hazards. Information from the state Emergency Management Agency's Floodplain Management division states that 35 percent of all flood insurance claims are paid for damages to property not located in the floodplain. Voluntary actions undertaken by St. Charles County Government to enhance flood mitigation efforts have been recognized and rewarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with a Community Rating System (CRS) Class 8 designation for the insurance program.  K-Mart Announces Closing of St. Peters Store ST. CHARLES COUNTY, (SLFP.com), March 10, 2002 - St. Peters City officials were notified on Friday, March 8, that the St. Peters K-Mart located off Veteran's Memorial Parkway would be one of three St. Louis area K-Marts closed as a result of the company's bankruptcy proceedings. Company officials have not told City officials at this time when they anticipate actually closing the store. The St. Peters K-Mart opened the end of 1998 and is located in the former Venture store. The Venture also closed as a result of the company going bankrupt. St. Peters Economic Development Director Cathy Gillies said in a statement the City is already talking to Kimco Realty Corporation, the leaseholder on the K-Mart building, about what can be done to make it easier to find a new tenant for the large building. "We have a meeting scheduled next week with Kimco to discuss options," said Gillies. "One thing we might suggest is subdividing the building into two or three smaller units. It's too early to do much speculation right now, but we're confident that we'll be able to find a suitable tenant for that parcel." City Administrator Bill Charnisky was also optimistic about the outlook for finding an occupant. "In spite of a general downturn in the nation's economy, St. Peters has been able to continue positive commercial growth over the past twelve months," said Charnisky. "Last year we saw the opening of Costco, a new Home Depot, Burlington Coat Factory, and other significant retailers. This year we anticipate the completion and opening of Ultimate Electronics, Marshalls, Home Goods, and Macaroni Grill adjacent to Costco, near Westfield Shoppingtown at Mid Rivers." St. Peters Assistant City Administrator Tim Wilkinson, said while he was disappointed to hear of the store was closing, he was confident a new tenant would be found. "These things happen," said Wilkinson, "It's not the first time a national corporation closed their doors on some or even all of their stores and it won't be the last time. While we feel bad about the disruption these closings cause in the lives of the people who work for them, the City's economy is strong and we don't anticipate the closing to create any financial problems for the City." Wilkinson also pointed out that several other large stores had closed their doors over the past several years and the City had new tenants for these locations. "The bottom line," said Wilkinson "is that we offer businesses the things they need most-customers with money to spend and an educated work force to hire from." Archived News: Groundbreaking for O'Fallon Water Treatment Plant County Seeks Task Force Members for Master Plan 2015 St. Charles Expedition Reenact the portion of the Lewis & Clark Expedition on the Ohio River Pioneer Days at Daniel Boone Home Bass Pro Shops Arrives in St. Charles Ameristar Rolls Out New Master Plan Hit the Road on the Web in St. Charles World Cup Ice Speedway Championships Restaurant Inspection Scores Now Online Station Casino St. Charles Sold County Opens Quail Ridge Park Family Arena Settles With Union Former Hostage Talks About Prayer Battle by the Bridge' Highway 370 Becomes Missouri's High Tech Corridor World's Toughest Rodeo - Ruff & Tumble Up Close and Personal at the Rodeo Otters Continue Winning Streak Otters Win Inaugural Game at Arena Ground Breaking for Family Arena MasterCard Builds for Future Coca-Cola Builds in St. Charles Return to St. Louis Front Page  The St. Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan St. Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group . | ||||
