Courtesy Annie Wolfe, The Pottawatomie County Times
It’s been three weeks since a tornado devastated Westmoreland and damage estimates are coming more into focus.
According to the Pottawatomie County Times, Pottawatomie County Appraiser Robin Knoblauch noted at Monday’s weekly commission meeting that through her own investigation, the estimated loss in value to the city is around $2.6 million. This included 17 properties that were total losses and 10 properties that were extremely damaged and are non-livable. In addition, about 43 other properties sustained minor to major damage. Four parcels just beyond the Westmoreland city limits also sustained an estimated $400,000 in loss, including one property that was a brand new build completed in March.
Emergency Management Director Jennifer Merrow told commissioners also Monday that the Small Business Administration toured Westmoreland and concluded that 33 properties would qualify for SBA low-interest disaster loans, with representatives on hand this week to answer any questions from concerned citizens.
In other business Monday, Pottawatomie County Health Department Director Leslie Campbell noted the department was offered a donation of a memorial bench and planters to honor Anna Miller, who died in the April 30 tornado. Miller was an administrative professional with the health department for 28 years.
