Boone County Fire District ready if needed for flooding

The Boone County Fire Protection District hasn’t been requested to help with the response to Missouri River flooding, but a district official says his crews are ready should the call come in.

“We are prepared here in Boone County,” Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp said. “We anticipate local flooding areas along the river, the normal things that we see every springtime here in mid-Missouri and we’re prepared to deal with anything that should come of that.”

Blomenkamp said Boone County has several boats to help with water rescue and a helicopter search and rescue team that flies with the Missouri National Guard.

Missouri Task Force 1, a federally-designated search and rescue team based at the fire district headquarters, has not been called to help with the flooding yet either, but it is a possibility should the flooding get worse, Blomenkamp said.

While flood conditions are normal in mid-Missouri during the spring, Blomenkamp said drivers should be diligent on the roads.

The most recent Missouri River forecasts on gauges in the mid-Missouri area show minor to moderate flooding with a crest expected late Wednesda or early Thursday. Another crest is expected next week.

The gauge at Glasgow was near the 32-foot major flood level Wednesday, but next week’s crest was not expected to be as high.

“Slow down, take your time, especially when you’re driving at night,” Blomenkamp said. “Don’t over-drive your headlights and if you come across water on the roadway turn around, don’t drown and find an alternative route.”