Streams, Creeks Start Flooding
After months of drought rain and melting snow has been pouring over fields and roads across the area.It is much needed moisture that could be dangerous for anyone its path. As of Sunday night a large portion of Mid-Missouri was under a flood watch or warning and the Missouri river could reach flood stage this week.Anyone driving up to a road filled with water or standing next to a rising creek is at risk. Therefore, road officials are urging people to stay clear if they can, and understand the dangers. “It’s dangerous, people need to realize that and stay out of the water,” said Larry Benz with Cole County Public Works.Even when the water looks calm and shallow he said it’s important to stay away. “Looks are deceiving… Its going to be a lot deeper that what you think,” said Benz.On Sunday water levels reached eight to ten feet over the road. When added to a heavy current it made a bad mix.Andy Rank lives in Cole County and was forced to move items off his property Sunday so they didn’t get washed away in the floods from the Moreau River. He said, “There’s a lot of debris that floats down in this water like this, it can take you under and hold you under.”In areas that flood easily officials have posted at least three warning signs and said people need to take them seriously. “People drowning, that’s the biggest risk that we all have, roads can be fixed if we do have wash outs but we can’t replace lives,” said Benz.The best thing to do if you drive up on water over a road is to simply turn around. If you’re about to travel take a look at the MoDOT map, which should outline any state roads under water.According to Boone County Public Works, several roads were closed Sunday night because of flooding. They included:- Friendship Church Road at Sportsmans Drive- Minor Hill Road at Low water crossing- Scott Blvd at Brushwood Lake Road- Gillespie Bridge Road at Perche Creek- Owens School Road near Davenport Road- 12200 block Old Number 7- Route CC at Tri City Lakes- Route E @ Twin Bridges- Strawn Road at Harmony Creek
