Tornado aftermath: How Kennett coordinated emergency response and recovery efforts

Editor's Note: This is the first installment of a two-part series regarding the Kennett City Council's first meeting after a tornadic storm swept through the city. Part two appears in Tuesday's edition of The Delta Dunklin Democrat.

In a lengthy post-tornado meeting, the Kennett City Council on Tuesday, March 18, convened and engaged with city officials regarding the disastrous event.

In particular, the body heard from Kennett Fire Dept. Chief Lance Davis, who offered councilors a timeline of events with respect to the city's preparedness and response to the storms, the cleanup, and future disaster assessments.

All councilors were present, along with Kennett Mayor Jake Crafton, City Attorney Terry McVey, City Clerk Jan McElwrath, Police Dept. Chief Kenny Wilson, Fire Dept. Chief Lance Davis and Street Dept. Supt. Gerald Moss.

Davis reiterated the fact that the city's warning sirens are designed to be heard outdoors and that residents should have available any kind of warning system that would alert them to impending crises indoors.

"Relying solely on these sirens for indoor warnings is not recommended," the chief said. "For reliable indoor alerts, we strongly advise everyone utilize multiple sources including a smartphone weather app, NOAA Weather Radio, or local television and radio broadcasts.

"We've been actively promoting these alternative warning methods on our social media channels for over a week leading up to this weather event," he continued. "And we urge everyone to take advantage of these readily available resources."

The chief said he'd received questions about the warning sirens' timeliness and why they "weren't activated earlier" than some residents expected.

"The sirens were activated for our area because we were placed under a tornado warning," Davis said. "When a tornado warning is issued, immediate action is necessary.

"I cannot emphasize enough," the chief continued. "When you hear the tornado sirens, take cover immediately. Your safety is our top priority."

Finally, the chief responded to some residents' complaints about the duration of alerts.

"Our system, along with every other system around the United States, is programmed to run for a duration of five minutes before automatically shutting down," Davis said. "So this is a standard operating procedure.

"We at the emergency operations level understand that severe weather can be a stressful time," he continued. "And we appreciate your cooperation in ensuring everyone's safety."

Questions arose from the council regarding the possibility of alerts being broadcast immediately to mobile phones when outdoor tornado sirens sound in case of impending storms.

Davis said his department doesn't have that capability.

Ward 1 Councilor Lisa Dry said the Kennett School District's Facebook page includes a QR code that functions in that way and broadcasts text messages like an Amber Alert when the city's shelter opens, and all residents need to do is sign up to receive the alerts on their cell phones.

Davis then spoke about his Friday leading up to the storms.

"On Friday the 14th, we started our day at 6:30 a.m. responding to a possible fire at Harp's," he said. "Which fortunately turned out to be a water sprinkler head malfunction.

"Later that day, at approximately 4:30 p.m., we were dispatched to Senath for mutual aid to assist with a large house fire," the chief continued. "While still on the scene, I left there and returned back to Kennett."

Davis said at about 8 p.m., he activated the Emergency Operations Center to begin monitoring incoming weather.

"At 12:02 a.m., Greene, Clay and Craighead Counties went under a tornado warning," the first responder said. "Which we were closely monitoring.

"Around 12:05 a.m., the school opened its FEMA building for a storm shelter," he continued. "At 12:42, the National Weather Service placed Kennett under a tornado warning, which prompted the activation of the outdoor sirens."

At 12:55 a.m. as the storm approached the river, the sirens were activated again, Davis reported.

"At that same time, the south end of the county was undergoing another tornado warning," the chief said. "Once that immediate threat had passed Kennett, the fire department, alongside the police department, began damage assessments within the city, all while we were watching the storm approach from the south, that just got put under the tornado warning."

First responders were recalled for a short while for safety reasons, then were dispatched again to address issues associated with the multiple storms, the chief explained.

"Preliminary reports indicated multiple trees and power poles that were down," Davis said. "All leaning in the same direction, which suggested straight-line winds.

"Our team concluded the damage assessment around 4 a.m. on Saturday," the first responder continued. "The Street Department immediately began clearing roads, while the Kennett Board of Public Works (KBPW) started restoring power, addressing downed power poles and power lines."

Davis met with National Weather Service personnel at Kennett on Sunday, he explained.

"Based on preliminary assessments, the storm has been rated as a low-end EF-2," the chief said. "Although that number may be adjusted as further evaluations are completed."

Davis went on to say he was proud that "despite the severity of the storms, there was no loss of life" in town.

"I personally want to thank the mayor," Davis said. "For coming down to the Emergency Operations Center.

"He was there right after the storm came through," the chief continued. "And he stayed there until 4:30 or 5 a.m. offering assistance."

Davis explained he was in contact with Missouri State Sen. Jason Bean, and the state's emergency management agency regarding potential financial aid for fuel costs, overtime pay, and recovery efforts.

"As of today, I've noted five businesses and 20 homes with structural damage," he said. "I stress structural damage because there were a lot of fields and stuff that sustained damage but are not really structural.

"In the next week or two, we can look for FEMA, the Small Business Association (SBA), and the State of Missouri Emergency Management Agency (SEMSA) to come in and assess these damages, which may or may not lead to some assistance," the chief continued. "After this takes place, they will return at a later date to look at the public assistance side, such as infrastructure damage, clearing of the roadways, utility debris cleanup, and things of that nature. Each department has been advised to document all of their hours worked, expenses and fuel, hours on their equipment, and anything purchased because of the storm needs to be noted on the purchase order, somehow."

Davis then noted that he received additional information just prior to the meeting.

"FEMA, the Small Business Association, and the Missouri Emergency Management Agency, along with my staff and the Dunklin County Emergency Management Office, will be out either Friday afternoon or Saturday to start the assessment process," Davis said. "So they are starting the process a little bit quicker than what was anticipated.

"There were some questions earlier today whether Dunklin County itself made the threshold for the potential monies," he added. "Because it was heard this morning that the county wasn't on the list."

Davis confirmed the county was included.

"Senator Bean has worked with me quite a bit today," Davis explained. "He assures me that we are there. If monies are released, they could be released here."

The chief extended his gratitude to everyone who responded to the disastrous storm.

"There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes that goes unnoticed," he said. "Some individuals, like myself, worked 34 hours plus, straight, before going to bed."

Some KBPW personnel worked up to 50 hours straight with no sleep to reset poles and power lines, and restore power to residents whose neighborhoods were blacked out by the storms.

"I would like you to know that I will share information as it becomes available, as far as federal and state funding," Davis assured the council.

The lead first responder said when federal and state agencies arrive at Kennett, either Friday or Saturday, businesses and residences would be assessed first.

"They will go to the residences," he said. "Residents don't have to reach out at that point."

Davis noted FEMA and SEMA have individual assessment standards that don't always align, and once reports are reviewed, monies might become available.

The entities' second visit evaluates the need for public assistance regarding reimbursement for emergency services, fire and police departments, and utilities.

Davis said the state requested him to conduct interviews with residents who might have been impacted negatively by the storms to expedite assistance.

Ward 3 Councilor Kevin Swain noted he and his council counterpart Harry Gaddis walked their ward to check on their constituents.

"We walked and talked to those affected," Swain said. "It was nice to see people working together, helping each other.

"You know, I offered water, clothes, food, whatever," he added. "Nobody asked for nothing, and nobody would take nothing. Because they all were worried about each other. It just speaks to community love."

Mayor Crafton noted 8th Congressional Dist. US Rep. Jason Smith reached out to him to offer any support needed.

Davis added that numerous people offered their assistance.

"But there was really nothing to help with," Davis said. "We have had people from north of here, people who were hit way harder than we were, volunteer to come down and offer assistance."

Crafton noted all residents who received power and lost it during the storm had utilities restored by Sunday evening and that crews from West Memphis, Malden, and Piggott all assisted KBPW personnel to that end.

Also, Crafton signed a disaster declaration that will be passed up to the county level to add to Dunklin County's declaration as a prerequisite to receiving emergency funding from the state.