Dear Editor,
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During the first flood of 1993 in the town of Pattonsburg, I met Rodney Harris . He was a reporter for the Bethany radio station and had come down to Pattonsburg to report the flooding.
In my dual role as Presiding Commissioner of Daviess County and Emergency Management Director I oversaw the evacuation of the town and other emergency operations during the ongoing flooding throughout the county. I and the other responsible parties severely stretched most of our resources.
Rodney offered up his radio station’s car to serve as a command post and the use of his phone and radio to alert other agencies and local residents of impending disaster.
The city’s water system could not provide water to the rural water district, residents needed to evacuate for their safety, volunteer fire services were suspended while they moved their own families, the electrical distribution system had to be addressed. The health department was notified for their services, as well as requests sent to SEMA and the Governor’s office for assistance and the National Guard. Plus many more that I, with apologies, forget.
I had been a career fire captain at Grandview and had some emergency management training, but not enough to know everything about it. The mayor and council were dealing with their own problems so the jurisdiction backed up onto the county commission.
Rodney Harris was my “turn-to” guy that day in summer ‘93. His countless suggestions and offering of assistance went beyond the capability of many a reporter. I have always hoped later in life to once again thank him for helping Daviess County and the commissioners that fateful day.
I am saddened, along with NWMSU, at the loss of its station’s manager, Rodney Harris. I say to all of you that he did well serving Northwest Missouri, then and now.
Respectfully,
C. Bud Young
Daviess County Presiding Commissioner 1991-95
Cameron, MO