Missouri River flooding closes Boone County road

South Easley River Road flooded on Saturday, and was still flooded Tuesday morning.

But because only one of the two roads leading to Cooper’s Landing is blocked off, the high waters of the Missouri River have not stopped the business from hosting people.

Vanessa Lietz said the flooding may have affected the business last weekend, but business is slower during this time of year anyway. Lietz said Cooper’s Landing is no stranger to flooding.

“We have markings from ’93,” she said, referring to the massive 1993 flood.

The water rose all the way to the top of the door of the Cooper’s Landing shop.

“It stayed that way for over a month,” Lietz said.

The workers have learned to prepare for flooding.

“If the flood is expected to get into the store, we’ll move the coolers and stove and everything either upstairs or put it all on trailers and get it out of here.”

Boone County Road and Bridge officials said because the Missouri River is so close to South Easley River Road, it is usually one of the first roads in Boone County to flood.

Once the road is no longer underwater, workers will have to go down to the road to make sure it is safe for drivers.

“It will usually have debris on it,” said Greg Edington with Boone County Road and Bridge.

Depending on the type of road, workers may also have to put more gravel down.

But Lietz said locals who spend time at Cooper’s Landing are likely aware that parts of a nearby trail are opened to the public when the road floods.

This means people can still come to the campground from the South Easley River Road side, as long as drivers are careful.