When rural Jasper County, Texas, is hit by strong storms, it relies on a federal program to clear and reopen its county road, usually left impassable by storm debris and flooding.
"That is exactly what happened when Hurricane Laura swept through the county back in August 2020," the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) stated in its June 5 news release, "bringing 60-mile an hour winds, snapping trees, knocking down power lines and flooding the area with a three-foot storm surge along with significant rainfall."
Despite being sparsely traveled, these roads are vital for the isolated, rural community whose residents use them daily, according to the release. Although the roads are vital for the people who use them regularly, often counties and states cannot or will not fund necessary repairs. When Hurricane Laura struck Aug. 27, 2020, causing significant damage and isolating the community, the NRCS's Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program came to the rescue. This federal emergency disaster response program provides assistance in addressing threats to infrastructure caused by watersheds.
“Typically, these county roads will only have a handful of people who live down them and use them," Ryan Nelson, a civil engineer for the NRCS, said in the release. "But just because fewer people live on these roads doesn't mean they can be neglected,” said in a press release issued on June 5.
Jasper County’s varied landscape, ranging from hilly to flat, adds complexity to the challenges faced by the local government, the release reports. The partnership between the county and NRCS has proven successful, with NRCS providing engineering services and support through the EWP program. After a disaster, NRCS engineers are dispatched to assess the damage, determine program eligibility, and formulate plans for repairs. The streamlined process benefits small governmental organizations like Jasper County, enabling them to swiftly address infrastructure damage.
“The Emergency Watershed Protection program is basically a federal emergency disaster response program,” Nelson said. “NRCS teams up with local and community governments to address threats to life or property when it has to do with watersheds and how they impact, erode, or cause damage to infrastructure.”
Through the EWP program, NRCS engineers and planners completed their reports and secured funding for Jasper County within six months after Hurricane Laura, according to the release. The team used various techniques, including rock riprap armoring and headwalls, to stabilize road slopes and culverts.
The NRCS personnel involved in these projects demonstrate remarkable dedication, as they take time away from their primary job duties to assist communities in need, the release states.
Jasper County officials voiced their appreciation for the support and collaborative nature of the partnership with NRCS, recognizing the EWP's impact has on the county's ability to recover from disasters efficiently.
“Working with NRCS has been probably the easiest thing I’ve done all year,” Seth Martindale, Commissioner for Jasper County's first precinct, said in the release. “They’re very hands-on, they’re very cordial, kind to work with. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot, but in a job like mine sometimes a little bit of kindness goes a long way.”
