Torrential Rainfall and Flash Flooding Result in Disaster Declaration

In response to torrential rainfall and subsequent flash flooding experienced overnight Tues., May 31, 2022, in Sedalia, Mayor Andrew Dawson has issued a disaster declaration. This official declaration invokes certain emergency powers for use by the Mayor in addressing the effects of the disaster. Such powers facilitate quicker actions to mitigate damages to public infrastructure and property of citizens, as well as, timely restoring essential operations and services.

The gathering of damage and clean-up information is the first step in determining if certain thresholds can be met locally and then the second step is accumulation of data statewide to determine the statewide impact of the storm event which may then allow the Governor to request Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid for impacted communities and counties within the state when the statewide threshold is met. There are no assurances that federal financial assistance will be forthcoming, until those areas impacted by the storm event have completed the assessment process including estimates of recovery costs for clean-up and repair to determine if those damage thresholds established by FEMA are met. We are asking for your assistance in gathering not only your information, but also encouraging and assisting your neighbors in completing the process.

City officials are working with local and state emergency management agencies to coordinate efforts and determine the extent of damages within our community. Essential to obtaining federal assistance is prompt assessment of the extent of damages and collection of necessary documentation for reporting estimated costs for recovery efforts to FEMA. Mayor Dawson asks City residents with damages from the storm to report through the City’s website by following the step-by-step instructions below and available online. By following the steps below, you will be able to complete the initial process to request any federal assistance that you may later be determined eligible to receive. This compilation of documents can also be used in completing any insurance claims related to the storm event.

Flood damage information submission process

From your computer or smartphone:

  • Go to sedalia.com
  • On the right-hand side of the screen, click on the blue tab labeled “Report Issues/Ask Questions”
  • When the “Customer Portal” window opens, click on the “Report Issue/Ask Question” icon
  • Click in the box under “Issue Description”
    • Describe briefly in narrative form the flood damage you experienced.
      • Be sure to include:
        • Date and time the flood damage occurred
        • If the flood damage is in the basement, include the depth of the water in the basement
        • List of items damaged by the flood waters with approximate value
        • Steps taken to clear the flood water and restore the basement to pre-flood conditions
  • Drop down to the next section of the form “Drag & Drop or Browse file” and click on “Browse file”
    • In this section, you will attach the documentation you have collected. The list below may not include all documents you may have available. If in doubt, it is better to include the document.
      • Select photos of the:
        • Flooded basement before cleanup
        • Damaged property
        • Receipts for cost of remediation of damages
        • Receipts for costs of replacement property
        • Estimates for cost of repairs
        • Any invoices related to the cost of remediation and repairs
  • Drop down to the next section of the form and click on the “Next” button. The “Select Category” section opens
  • Click on the “Rain Disaster 05-31-22”
  • Enter your address in the text box
  • Click the blue icon labeled “Next”
  • Enter your first name in the text box
  • Enter your last name in the text box
  • Enter your email address in the text box
  • Enter your mobile number in the text box
  • Enter your work phone number in the text box
  • Click the blue icon labeled “submit”

We appreciate your assistance in gathering this critical information as we work to recover from this storm event.