Governor declares emergency amid severe weather forecast
Missouri’s governor declared a state of emergency Tuesday as forecasts called for flooding, high winds, heavy rain and possible tornadoes.
Parson activated the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan on Tuesday afternoon, allowing state agencies to coordinate disaster response with local authorities, Parson’s office said in a news release.
Several local roads in Cole County and state highways in Howard and Callaway counties had closed by early Tuesday afternoon as rivers and creeks continue to rise.
LIVE PLAYBACK: Britt Smith talks about Jefferson City flood threat
Cole County Public Works in an updated news release Tuesday afternoon that North Branch Road, Waterford Road, Murphys Ford Road, Meadowsford Road, Railroad Street, Water Street, East Cole Junction and Vaughn Ford Road closed Tuesday. The Missouri Department of Transportation’s traveler information map showed Route Z near New Franklin and Route H northeast of Fayette, both in Howard County, had closed because of flooding. Route O in Pettis County and Route BB in Morgan County had also closed because of flooding.
Highway 94 was closed just west of Portland in Callaway County.
Heavy rain that fell on the Plains and mid-Missouri on Monday has helped push rivers and tributaries beyond their banks in many spots, with Missouri River crests expected later this week. More heavy rain was expected Tuesday, along with the possibility of high winds and tornadoes.
The Missouri River at Jefferson City is expected to top out at more than 2 feet above major flood stage this week. If the prediction holds it will be the fifth-highest crest on record.
Jefferson City Public Works official Britt Smith said the city is moving its property from flood-prone areas and encouraging residents to do the same. The expected crest will top local levees, he said.
