BY JUSTIN SABATA
Repairs are still being made to the Ellis County Fairgrounds following the severe storm that hit the area last August. The severe thunderstorm, with wind gusts more than 80 mph, caused damage to several structures in the county and resulted in many temporarily losing power. Interim county administrator Darin Myers described the state of the fairgrounds after the storm.
“It almost seemed like every single building was damaged in one way or the other,” Myers said. “From roof tin being peeled up on edges, to vinyl siding being pelted by hail, to light poles taking out fences, to buildings being completely blown away.”
Myers also explained the economical extent of the damage.
“Unfortunately, it’s going to look to be between six hundred fifty and seven hundred thousand dollars worth of damages,” Myers said. “The good news, based on our insurance, we’re only going to be out about five hundred dollars for our deductible.”
Per Myers, this seemingly low deductible is the standard for counties insured by the Kansas County Association Multiline Pool (KCAMP). According to their website, KCAMP, located in Topeka, covers seventy-two out of the 105 counties in Kansas.
Currently, the county has experienced over four hundred thousand dollars worth of damages. As reported by the administrator, Ellis County has received three insurance checks combined for approximately two hundred sixty-two thousand dollars so far.
“We’ve kind of had to push some efforts to get KCAMP and their large loss adjusters to come out and look at the different buildings,” Myers said. “Since then, we’ve had a sit-down meeting. The Clerk’s office, myself, the Fair Board came, as well as a KCAMP representative.”
The county administrator predicts an estimated two hundred fifty thousand dollars more in damages that have yet to be adjusted. Repairs on the Fairgrounds are still underway with many smaller projects completed, and an overall completion date is expected within the next couple of months.