Cabinet secretary praises area flood efforts

A top member of President George Bush’s cabinet stopped in the Hannibal region Monday and promised a strong federal commitment to Midwest flood recovery.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff got a bird’s eye view of still-swamped homes and farm fields in Lincoln County with Gov. Matt Blunt before meeting with flood-fighters at Winfield City Hall.
“It’s hard to see where the river ends and the land begins,” Chertoff said.
Chertoff is the highest-ranking public official to visit the Hannibal-Quincy area during the flooding. He said federal agencies will work “side by side” with state and county authorities in helping people whose lives have been turned upside down.
“We have to be able to map out what’s needed for long-term recovery,” Chertoff said.
Chertoff, who watched media coverage of the flood, had special praise for what he called the “heroic efforts” of Lincoln County residents who tried in vain to save the Pin Oak Levee east of Winfield.
“It’s a tremendous tribute to the outstanding spririt of the people in this community,” he said.
Chertoff said the Federal Emergency Management Agency is “much more pro-active” in handling disasters since it came under fire after Hurricane Katrina hit the Southeast almost three years ago.
FEMA spokeswoman Carmen Rodriguez noticed the change in public perception during National Tom Sawyer Days last weekend in Hannibal.
“Everybody was coming up and saying ‘Thank you’ and ‘You’re doing a great job,’” Rodriguez said.
State Rep. Ed Schieffer, D-11, of Troy, said Chertoff’s visit “puts us on the fastest possible track to get federal assistance” in Northeast Missouri.
Kelly Hardcastle, Lincoln County’s emergency management director, said the visit was “definitely an honor” and that Chertoff was “sincere” about helping.
That’s good news for Hardcastle and the many others who are still battling nature’s wrath.
“It’s not over by any means,” Hardcastle said.