Flooding could surpass 1993; Two bridges close, Keokuk/Hamilton still fighting to stay open

Help battling the flood took many forms this past week. National Guard troops from Macomb and local volunteers like Chris Haas helped fill and move sandbags.

The flood that was not supposed to come for another 500 years threatens towns on both sides of the Mississippi with crest predictions higher then the flooding in 1993.

All week emergency services and volunteers fought with the rising river to keep roads and bridges passable, and to keep water out of homes and farmland. Some had success. As of Tuesday morning, June 17, the levees at Niota and Hunt Drainage District were tested but holding.

However the approach on the Fort Madison side of the bridge to Niota had over two feet of water. The Santa Fe bridge was closed Tuesday morning.

The Burlington Bridge closed after a Henderson County levee #2 breeched at around 5:15 a.m. Tuesday.

“At 7 a.m., river levels down stream affecting Niota and Dallas City had dropped about 3 inches in response to the Henderson County #2 levee breech, but levels are expected to come back up again. Sandbagging help is needed today (Tuesday) at Dallas City at the First Street /old water plant,” reported Kathy Dougherty, public information chairman of the Hancock County Emergency Service and Disaster Agency.

“With both bridges closed and if you can't get to work in Iowa, your help is urgently needed to help sandbag.”

Dougherty confirmed that the Keokuk Bridge continues to stay open as of Tuesday morning, although motorists experienced long delays in crossing the two lanes built up with gravel.

“After midnight, the west end of Dallas City was taking water in the senior housing area; four seniors were evacuated to the Senior Center next to Police Department, and several homes lost the fight on the west and east ends of Dallas city last night,” she reported, Tuesday morning.

In Pontoosuc, AmerenCIPS began shutting power to those homes that have taken water; those that are high and dry will have power.

Illinois State Police and extra patrols from deputies will be patrolling the affected flooded areas to heighten security and to discourage sightseers and extra traffic. The Conservation Police will be patrolling the river as added security.

“If you're not sandbagging or live there, don't go there,” Dougherty said.

Sandbag lines continue to hold in Niota to preserve the levee, despite closure of the bridge to Fort Madison.

“There is some seepage in areas, and water levels are expected to continue to rise,” Dougherty said. Sandbag help continued with check in at the Niota Township Hall. Rt. 96 between Niota and Dallas City is closed to through traffic as both lanes are covered by about three foot of water at a location just west of the Pontoosuc Road.

Sandbagging continues on the Warsaw bottoms. Volunteers are needed in the City of Warsaw bottoms and Hunt Drainage District. Call 217/256-3214 or come to Warsaw City Hall for directions to locations. Residents are voluntarily evacuating in the Hunt District. Preparations were being made to haul water into Warsaw in case the water plant becomes compromised.

The Illinois National Guard sent troops to help in Warsaw, Niota and Dallas City Sunday. In addition, Dept. of Correction workers were stationed in Niota to help with sandbagging and levee work.

The river level at Burlington rose to above flood stage (15.0 feet) to 16.84 on Tuesday, June 10. In a weeks time, the river had risen to 22.5 feet on Monday, June 16, and threatened to rise about the record 24.98 feet set in July of 1993. Newer predictions called for the crests to surpass the 1993 records for several days this week before begining to recede on Friday.

That 22.5 feet level is approx 1.5 foot higher than levels were in May 2008.