Update given on Hickman's landslide

Hickman City Commissioners met in a Special Called Meeting Feb. 22 for Designation of Applicant’s Agent; and give an update on the landslide at the corner of Church and Buchanan Streets in Hickman.

Commissioners James Adams, Robert Griggs, and Judy Powell, and Mayor Heath Carlton were present. Commissioner Phillip Williams was absent.

Resolution 18-104 states, Be it Resolved by Board of Commissioners of the City of Hickman, Kentucky that Cubb Stokes, Interim City Manager, is hereby authorized to execute for and in behalf of City of Hickman, Kentucky, a public entity established under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, this application and to file it in the appropriate State office for the purpose of obtaining certain Federal financial assistance under the Disaster Relief Act (Public Law 288, 93rd Congress) or otherwise available from the President’s Disaster Relief Fund.

That City of Hickman, a public entity established under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, hereby authorizes its agent to provide to the State and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for all matters pertaining to such Federal disaster assistance the assurances and agreements printed on the reverse side hereof. Passed and approved this 22nd day of February 2019.

Emergency Management Director Leslie Woods reported, “As of now, precautionary measures were installed Feb. 21, on the recommendation of the Fiscal Court. We did a barrier to try and keep the run-off from the hill, from the Fulton County Courthouse and in front of First Methodist Church. That is where we are now. I have received calls this morning about further prevention measures that we will look into and have to make.”

Mayor Carlton said, “I have received several calls from a company GeoStabilization International and they are willing to offer a free on-site evaluation to see if the process they use can benefit Hickman. We are also going to reach out to local contractors to see what needs to be done in the immediate time.”

Woods stated, “Just keep in mind, at the present time the City of Hickman, and the County of Fulton, have declared a State of Emergency, but nothing can be done until the State of Kentucky declares a State of Emergency. Right now, it is what the local governments and public can do help with the situation.”

“I will get information from GeoStabilization and pass along to the church. This will, at least, have the ball in motion when the state does give approval,” said Carlton.

Hickman resident Ben Terrett said, “I have some telephone poles down near the floodwall, if you need them.”

Interim City Manager Cubb Stokes said, “This is a State of Emergency, an act of God so to speak. I appreciate everyone’s patience, helping out yesterday, and the day before to do what little we could do. The Army Corps of Engineers, the Regional director of FEMA, Sen. Rand Paul’s representative have all been here. As far as a plan of action at this time, we don’t really have one, because we don’t know what we don’t know. The ground up there is unstable and it is going to be a while before anything is done. I ask all citizens to be patient with us and our first goal is the safety of the area. It is roped off and barriers to divert rain in another direction away from the slide.”

“One house is vacant, and the Methodist parsonage family did not stay in the house last night. They stayed with a member of the congregation. I ask, above all, stay away from there. We have Church Street block, and Buchanan Street about half way. If it gets to be a problem of visitors, there will be citations issued,” continued Stokes.

“Any recommendations or suggestions I would like to come through me. I know we have four commissioners and a Mayor and they will be contacting me if you call them,” replied Stokes.

Two work crews from the Fulton County Detention Center cleaned out curbs, drainage, grates to make the flow of the rain go where it should.

Stokes said, “The city doesn’t own any ditches. They belong to the property owners and I am asking you to clean out the ditches to help keep clean. The main ditches around town are governed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Every citizen needs to help by cleaning out the ditches.”

Hickman resident Carol Winters addressed the Commission about Ivey Alley, where she lives. She stated it is eroding and in need of repairs. Also, she stated her son’s residence and her church are flooding.

“This is where everyone needs to take care of their own property. Whether it is rental or owned, we don’t have control over the flooding. It is going to be a long road to get things cleaned out,” stated Stokes.

Larry Myatt, former Hickman City Manager during the Floods of 2009, 2010, and 2011, stated, “This is similar to the situation on Upper Catlett. We used a massive amount of plastic and sandbags over the slide, and backfilled with dirt and gravel, then rip rap. This slide appears larger. Also, Terrace Street is closed, but you should find cold mix and fill in the cracks to try and keep rain water out to prevent from freezing and expand the cracks.”

Mayor Carlton expressed his appreciation for the support and manpower from Fulton County Jailer Steven Williams, Fulton Public Works, churches members, and every citizen in town.