Area EMA directors prepare for the worst even when it's not expected

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - The projected rain from Hurricane Isaac showed up Labor Day Weekend. Area Emergency Management  Directors worked hard to make sure they were covered in case the worst happened. In all, they said they're happy with how their plans turned out.

"We have 40,000 sand bags, we have sand supplies at the EMA office so people can come and fill their sand bags," Clinton County EMA Director, Darrell Sanders said. "I know the county highway and the street department took some vehicles with barricades in them."

"We let the fire chief and police chief know where our sandbags were if  they needed them, and what the procedures were, and who to call for sand delivery if they needed it," Carroll County EMA Director, Dave McDowell, said.

Indiana's Homeland Security named Clinton County's Emergency Operating Center one of the best in the state. That is where Sanders held a meeting with community leaders Saturday to prepare for the worst even if it wasn't expected.

"The only thing we're really concerned about is if we get a large amount of rain, four or five inches, in a short period of time, then we'll put our plan in place," Sanders said. "Right now everyone is just on hold and they check in periodically. Everything is running smoothly. In emergency management we plan for the worst and hope it doesn't happen. So far it hasn't."

In Carroll County, McDowell was worried about river and flash flooding. He said the dry ground helped absorb all the water, and the county avoided any major flooding.

"People were getting ready for their weekend, and we were able to let them know it doesn't look as bad as we thought," McDowell said. "But we are ready if it does get bad."

By Tuesday when everyone is heading back to work after a long weekend the rain should be gone. But EMA directors are still getting ready for what is next.