Water levels rising in area

Friday, March 21, 2008
The Mini Farms subdivision is photographed Thursday morning as water rises on the St. John Ditch (Photos by Tim Jaynes, Staff)

Filled sandbags available for Mini Farms residents

BENTON -- Dry weather improved working conditions, but water levels continued to rise in some portions of Southeast Missouri Thursday.

Some local rivers are still flooding and some of the major rivers are rapidly filling, the State Emergency Management Agency reported.

On Thursday water began rising on the south end of Scott County by Mini Farms, according to Shawn Wood, public information officer for Scott County Emergency Operation Center. Emergency personnel responded to the scene, and filled sand bags were delivered to Linn Street for residents who needed them. Also sandbagging efforts took place around residences in Commerce.

The situation at the lower Caney Basin, where a levee was breached Wednesday and forced residents to evacuate, appears to be stable, Wood said. Residents of the area located between Oran and Chaffee put more sandbags out Thursday as reinforcement.

Sikeston Public Works employee Randy Gaines lifts a storm drain cover on Dona Street

The Missouri Department of Transportation is extremely concerned about the condition of the Route W Bridge between Oran and Perkins in Scott County.

"We are unsure of the structural condition of the bridge in conjunction with the current flooding situation and need motorists to leave the road barricades in place for their own safety and the safety of the bridge," said Cheryl Ball, assistant to the district engineer.

MoDOT will complete an assessment of the bridge as soon as possible and will remove the barricades once the bridge is found safe to cross, Ball said. Until this time, motorists need to avoid the area.

Nearly 100 homes and 15 businesses were reported with damages in Scott County, according to SEMA.

Highway 60 east of Poplar Bluff at the Black River crossing in now open to traffic in both directions, SEMA reported. The road was closed earlier when it was threatened by high water as well. Several reports of levee breaches came in earlier south of Poplar Bluff, apparently affecting some residents and roads. Black River Coliseum is continuing to shelter people. DNR reported a Boil Water Order was considered in Poplar Bluff but has not been issued as of Thursday evening.

Evacuations were completed in Allenville and Dutchtown areas in Cape Girardeau County. Shelters are open at Delta, Jackson and Cape Girardeau, and the airport reopened. Some animal rescues were handled in the past day with the Missouri Humane Society on-site to assist with animal issues in Allenville, SEMA reported.

Five Missourians have died as a result of these storms -- two in Greene County, one in Reynolds County, one in Bollinger County and one in Lawrence County-- these have been confirmed. MoDOT reports 190 locations on state roads are currently closed due to flash flooding.

Gov. Matt Blunt signed two State of Emergency Executive Orders for the severe weather and flooding that has struck Missouri. The executive orders activated the State Emergency Operations Center allowing state agency resources to assist local jurisdictions with their emergency response, and activated the Missouri National Guard to assist with protective action.

American Red Cross Mass Care efforts continued Thursday in response to flooding in Southeast Missouri. Preparations are being made for the next phase of disaster response.

"The Red Cross continues to re-evaluate response efforts and is working with Emergency Management Agencies to prioritize areas for disaster assessment and client assistance," said Cheryl Klueppel, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Chapter, in a news release.

The American Red Cross along with local community partners continues to shelter and feed those affected by flooding. American Red Cross shelter locations remained available in several areas.

As of Thursday, 145 individuals had registered in Red Cross shelters in Zalma, Delta, Marble Hill, Jackson (many found other places to stay or were able to return home). There were 92 shelter overnight stays in shelters, 243 meals and snacks had been served; and 25 Red Cross volunteers and employees continue to serve local Southeast Missouri.

Volunteers are still needed to help fill sandbags in Scott County. Those interested in helping should report to the Scott County Jail and sign in.

To assess flood damage in Scott County, the Emergency Management Agency requests citizens and businesses to report damage by phone to (573) 545-

3715. Requests for assistance and emergency situations should continue to use 911.

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