Members of the Jasper County Commission, who heard the rules overview along with residents, later clarified the county's stance to say federal and county flood plain rules will not be used to keep residents out of their homes.
"It will be up to the homeowner to decide when their property is safe to occupy," said John Bartosh, presiding commissioner.
Those attending Tuesday's meeting included residents of about 15 properties who were forced to leave their homes Dec. 27 after heavy downpours swelled rivers across the region. After the waters receded, they have been able to start cleanup. But some are waiting for an assessment by county representatives before they can start the kind of work that will allow them to get back into their homes.
"We're all homeless thanks to the county," said William Stanley, who lives in a mobile home and owns others in the flood-prone area along Spring River north of Carthage.
Clayton Christy, an engineer who works with the county to enforce federal flood plain regulations, said about half the assessments are done and he expects to finish the remainder today.
He said the assessment is required to determine the level of damage to the property, and may trigger requirements for building changes to withstand future floods. But Bartosh clarified after the meeting that the property can be occupied while that work is underway. They also are allowed to move travel trailers onto the property, Christy said in responding to a question.
Residents were particularly worried about when they can get back in their homes, saying they had received help from local aid groups allowing them in stay in motels through Saturday. That concern was expressed by representatives of aid groups working with the residents.
"These people don't have anyplace to go," one said.
Some property owners who had bought property in the past several years said they did not know they were in a flood plain and that sellers had not mentioned it.
"It ought to have to be on your deed or something," one property owner said.
Connie Hoover, county assessor, attended the meeting to remind landowners they will be forgiven for a potion of their taxes during the time they cannot occupy their homes. The change was imposed after an earlier tornado, and linked to home occupancy, she said.
"They need to notify us if they are out of their homes and when they return," she said. "During the time they are out, they won't be charged for the building portion of their property on their county taxes."
Bartosh said the county still is interested in pursuing a buyout of the flood-prone property. The county, he said, wants to seek federal assistance for the land to be purchased and converted into park property. But the process is a long one and would not help landowners immediately.
Residents, and local government organizations, will receive some help from the federal government since the region has been designated a disaster area. A damage assessment has been started by officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but work will start in St. Louis and work west, according to Dan King, with the Jasper County Community Organizations Active in Disaster, a coalition of not-for-profit organizations and other groups including the Red Cross, Catholic Charities and Ozark Center.
He said volunteer case managers with the group already are working with flood victims from the Kendricktown area. He said money for their housing came from funding originally given for Joplin tornado victims, which donors agreed to leave for future needs.
"We have very good case managers, including Spanish-speakers, who can help people," Bartosh said.
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