By Boris Ladwig, The Republic
bladwig@therepublic
Mayor Fred Armstrong predicted that flood damage in Columbus would reach $500 million. The mayor also said that it will take at least two years before the city returns to a semblance of normalcy.
Columbus Regional Hospital has estimated its damages at $125 million. Cummins Inc. said Wednesday that it expects damages to exceed $100 million.
With millions more in repairs at Mariah, Eastbrook Plaza and other businesses, city infrastructure and 1,500 damaged or destroyed homes, Armstrong said he expects the toll to reach $500 million.
The city's estimated damages of about $4 million exclude longterm damages to infrastructure, such as roads and parks, losses in assessed valuation and expenses the city will incur from bringing flood-damaged items to the landfill.
"It's going to be ugly," Armstrong said.
Public Safety Director Jim Norris said that the city incurred from June 9 to June 30 $180,000 in fees to bring flood debris to the landfill. In a typical month, the city pays about $30,000.
Armstrong also said that many neighborhoods' appearances belie their poor condition.
The mayor said he has visited homes that look fine on the outside, but have suffered structural damage and will require extensive repairs.
Some of them, Armstrong said, will never recover.