Created by Loretta Kuo. Original photo by Steve Zumwalt/FEMA. Location: West Alton, Mo., June 6, 2013 — Missouri Route 94 flooded.
The storm which blew in overnight Friday and continued into Saturday morning brought much-needed rain and much-appreciated cooler temperatures. The 4-6 inch deluge also lefts a few area roadways closed due to flooding.
As of about 10 a.m. Saturday, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office had received reports of at least two roads that were rendered impassable due to storm. FM 69 in low areas and FM 275 between Miller Grove and Emory were reported to be under water Saturday morning.
Barricades have been put in place warning motorists not to attempt to travel on that stretch of roadway. Anyone caught by authorities entering the closed roadway could face fines or charges.
Motorists are reminded to adhere to the slogan “turn around, don’t drown” when approaching low areas and roads near waterways. These areas can be impacted for a few days until water levels in the creeks, lakes and other waterways recede.
When in doubt, motorists are urged to turn around instead of trying to make it through covered roadways, especially those with rising water or multiple inches deep as they could be swept away in their vehicles.
Another roadway that is frequently closed is FM 71 west at the Delta-Hopkins County line. The road is often closed at the bridge that crosses the Sulphur River Basin south of Cooper Lake. Several miles of logjams, caused from trees growing and falling during previous years’ droughts, contribute to additional flooding of the bridge, highway and surrounding farmlands.
Hopkins County Commissioner Court is slated during a Sept. 3 meeting, scheduled Tuesday instead of Monday due to Labor Day, to discuss a resolution from Senator Bob Hall and Rep. Reggie Smith’s offices urging officials from multiple state agencies to work together to take action to remove the obstruction from the river to alleviate flooding and environmental concerns.
