Disaster declared for rain-soaked Missouri
Published: March 20, 2008 at 11:50 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Mo., March 20 (UPI) -- U.S. President George W. Bush declared a major disaster in Missouri, where heavy rains were blamed for at least five deaths and hundreds of evacuations.
The system left at least 13 people dead in its wake in Texas, Missouri, Kentucky and Ohio, various news agencies reported Thursday.
The National Weather Service said flood warnings would remain in effect in southern Missouri at least through noon Friday.
In hard-hit Missouri, hundreds of people were forced from their homes, levies were breached and roads were closed, the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader reported.
The water came within inches of the Mount Calvary Powerhouse Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, KAIT in Jonesboro, Ark., reported. A few hundred yards away, Gayla Allison was "devastated" by the 8 feet of water covering her business, the Black River Truck and Auto Repair Shop.
"All night long we were just praying that it wouldn't come in," said Pastor Ron Webb.
The flooding across southern Missouri prompted Gov. Matt Blunt to activate the State Emergency Operations Center and Missouri National Guard, as well as seek federal disaster declarations.
The presidential declaration allows federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts.
The Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau, Mo., where the storm dumped more than 12 inches of rain in two days, is forecast to crest at 44.5 feet by Sunday, AccuWeather.com reported. The river's flood stage is 32.0 feet. Record flooding is forecast for the Meramec River at Valley Park, Mo., where it is expected to crest at 40 feet -- 24 feet above flood stage -- by Saturday.
The system left at least 13 people dead in its wake in Texas, Missouri, Kentucky and Ohio, various news agencies reported Thursday.
The National Weather Service said flood warnings would remain in effect in southern Missouri at least through noon Friday.
In hard-hit Missouri, hundreds of people were forced from their homes, levies were breached and roads were closed, the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader reported.
The water came within inches of the Mount Calvary Powerhouse Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, KAIT in Jonesboro, Ark., reported. A few hundred yards away, Gayla Allison was "devastated" by the 8 feet of water covering her business, the Black River Truck and Auto Repair Shop.
"All night long we were just praying that it wouldn't come in," said Pastor Ron Webb.
The flooding across southern Missouri prompted Gov. Matt Blunt to activate the State Emergency Operations Center and Missouri National Guard, as well as seek federal disaster declarations.
The presidential declaration allows federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts.
The Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau, Mo., where the storm dumped more than 12 inches of rain in two days, is forecast to crest at 44.5 feet by Sunday, AccuWeather.com reported. The river's flood stage is 32.0 feet. Record flooding is forecast for the Meramec River at Valley Park, Mo., where it is expected to crest at 40 feet -- 24 feet above flood stage -- by Saturday.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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