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:~: :-~-, these losses are reflected in over 36,000 claims approved for a total of $92 million in Disaster Unemployment Assistance.33 Historically railroads were built in floodplains and river valleys to minimize construction and fuel costs. Main lines continue to parallel both the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Although generally tracks are elevated on embankments above the elevation of most floods or are located behind levees, they remain subject to major flood events. In 1993 over 800 miles of track were flooded and several main lines were inundated for varying periods of time, but most trains were routed around flooded areas. The Association of American Railroads estimates that railroad damages totalled $182 million, including $131 million in physical damages to tracks, bridges, signals, communication lines, switches, locomotives, rolling stock, and buildings. Additional costs of $51 million resulted from detouring trains around sections of flooded track.34 Repair costs are generally borne by the railroads themselves although $21 million was distributed to railroads through the Supplemental Appropriation for Local Rail Freight Assistance.3j Airports often are located in floodplains because of the flat terrain and close proximity to urban areas. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has identified 33 airports with varying degrees of flood damage. Estimated repair costs exceed $5.4 million. The airports range in size from the Spirit of St. Louis Airport in St. Louis County, Missouri, to airports that are little more than grass landing strips with a few hangars for private aviation. Most of the flooded airports were in Missouri (16) and Iowa (12). The Spirit of St. Louis Airport, an alternate for Lambert-St. Louis Airport, sustained $1. 7 million in damages when the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee failed. Other major airports that were flooded include those at Creve Couer and Jefferson City and the Kansas City Downtown Airport. Several smaller airports remain closed and may not reopen.36 Navigation Most of the main stem rivers were closed to barge traffic from July II until August 15, 1993, and severe limitations on barge traffic continued through September, October, and November. The Maritime Administration estimated that losses of revenue to the THE FLOOD OF 1993 navigation industry were $300 million per month." More than $165 million were lost in lllinois alone. Regional impacts on jobs from barge and port disruptions were also greatest in lllinois.38 Public Facilities The Midwest flood caused extensive damages to water and wastewater treatment plants and other public facilities. Damages to utilities, including water and wastewater treatment facilities and stormsewer systems, exceeded $85 million." Water treatment plants often are located in floodplains to be near well fields or the surface water that supplies the system. In addition, water supply lines must cross floodplains to serve floodplain residents. The EP A has identified 200 municipal water systems impacted to some degree by the flood:'o The most prominent example is the Des Moines Water Works that serves the City of Des Moines and adjoining communities. The plant was flooded and remained out of operation for 12 days, and water from it was not safe to drink for another seven days. In addition to physical damages of $12 million, significant impacts were felt in the service area.41 Businesses and government offices closed because of lack of fire protection. and bottled water and portable toilets had to be provided for residents. The economic impact of the shutdown may far exceed the cost of repair of the physical damage. .. Wastewater treatmeut plants tend to be located iu floodplains which are generally the lowest point in a community and offer the advantage of gravity flow. Furthermore the effluent from these plants is discharged into major rivers or streams. The impact of flooding ranges from temporary plant shutdown and the discharge of raw sewage into the river during the flood to physical damage that results in extended plant shutdowns and continned discharges of raw sewage or partially treated effluent until snch time as the plant can be repaired. A total of 388 wastewater facilities were impacted by the flood," Damages to public bnildings exceeded $27 million. Water control facilities had more than $20 million in damages, and facilities such as parks and other recreation facilities recorded more than $22 million, TIlese estimates are based on FEMA projections of infrastructure spending that include a lO-percent local cost share.43 19