Friday, May 5, 2017

RIVER LEVELS UPDATE

  River levels are rising again in some locations following the rainfall yesterday and early this morning.

According to the National Weather Service, Black River in Poplar Bluff was at 15.76 feet this morning and is forecast to rise to around 17 feet today. In Pocahontas, the river had fallen to 25.06 feet this morning and in Corning it had fallen to 15.44 feet.

The Current River in Doniphan is forecast to rise back above the flood stage of 13 feet to 16 feet late tonight or early tomorrow morning. The Current River in Van Buren is not forecast to reach above the flood stage.

For St. Francis River in Patterson, the river was at 26.17 feet this morning and is forecast to rise to 29.5 feet today. In Fisk, the river was at 24.7 feet.

In St. Francis, Arkansas the river was at 25.53 feet.

The latest readings put Wappapello Lake at 396.33 feet and Clearwater Lake at 569.22 feet.

  BUTLER COUNTY EMA STILL LOOKING FOR DONATION OF CLEANING PRODUCTS

  Officials in Butler County are still looking for donations of cleaning products.

A collection and distribution center has been set up in the old Doctors Hospital on West Pine Street and is open for collections this week from 9 am to 6 pm daily. They will be open for distribution of cleaning supplies today and tomorrow during those same hours.

Today there will be an additional collection point located in the parking lot of the Poplar Bluff Holiday Inn. A truck will be parked there to receive cleaning goods from noon to 5:30 pm.

The truck will take cleaning supplies on Saturday to the Southern Bank facility in Van Buren for distribution of supplies to anyone affected by the flood. The supplies will be available beginning at 9:30 am. Southern Bank will have food available for lunch also.

Supplies being collected include bleach, mops, buckets, kitchen gloves, dawn dishwashing liquid, box fans, paper towels, and toilet paper.

  DONATIONS OF CLEANING PRODUCTS STILL NEEDED IN VAN BUREN

  Van Buren residents are beginning the process of cleaning up their town following this week’s floods.

Anyone who wants to volunteer in the cleanup efforts can contact emergency manager Curt Majors, at 573-323-4335, or report to the pavilion at Van Buren High School during the day.

They also need donations of cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and bottled water. Donations can be dropped off at the Assembly of God Church.

The Van Buren Youth and Community Center, the group organizing efforts for Van Buren flood victims, has also set up an account for donations that can be made at Southern Bank.

  WAYNE COUNTY FLOOD VICTIMS ASKED TO GET IN CONTACT WITH PIEDMONT FIRE DEPARTMENT

  Piedmont Fire Chief Seth Deck is asking people in Wayne County who are victims of this week’s flood to get in contact with the Piedmont Fire Department.

Deck says that if you live in Wayne County and have damage to your residence or business due to the local flooding, call 223-4410 or stop by the Piedmont City Fire Department.

Deck added that the Fire Department needs this information to give to the state to try to get assistance and they are available from 8 am to 8 pm.

  FLOOD RECOVERY FUNDS OPENED UP FOR MULTIPLE SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AREAS

  A charity organization has set up flood recovery funds for multiple communities in Southeast Missouri.

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks has opened community flood recovery funds are open to support West Plains; Van Buren and Carter County; Doniphan and Ripley County; and the Thomasville community in Oregon County.

The foundation says that charitable donations for flood recovery will be used to support 501(c)3 nonprofits, including equivalent faith and education institutions, that will work directly to help flood victims with mid- to long-term recovery. These funds also may support nonprofits directly affected by the flood damage.

Decisions on use of the funds will be made by local grantmaking committees in each community.

You can find more information and make tax-deductible donations online at CFOzarks.org/floodrecovery.

The CFO is a regional public charitable foundation that includes 49 affiliate foundations serving the region south of the Missouri River.

  TETANUS VACCINE AVAILABLE AT BUTLER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

  Anyone who was impacted by the floods this weekend is being advised to get a tetanus shot.

Emily Goodwin with the Butler County Health Department tells KWOC News that the tetanus vaccine has been distributed to many area health departments.

"Since the floods have began last Sunday, the Butler County Health Department has received several doses of the tetanus vaccine and we are urging residents within Butler County and the Butler County areas to go to their local Health Department to receive the tetanus vaccine.

We have distributed several doses to all the surrounding flooded counties including Carter and Ripley Counties. It is very important to get a tetanus vaccine especially if you're returning to your home that's been flooded or if you've been out in the waters dealing with the debris. Tetanus can cause lockjaw, which is the painful muscle tightening and stiffness around your jaw, but then can overall go throughout your whole body.

If you have any scrapes or cuts and you're dealing with flood water, if you're in it, or even if you're cleaning your house, the tetanus bacteria can get into those cuts and scrapes and can cause lockjaw.

To receive your free tetanus shot, all you need to do is come down to the Butler County Health Department. It’s 1619 North Main Street, here in Poplar Bluff. Our hours are from 8 to 5. You come in, come up to the window, fill out some paperwork. It’s an easy, quick process and they’ll get you taken care of. If you have any questions feel free to call the Butler County Health Department at 573-785-8478."

  SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST IN SCOTT COUNTY

  Authorities have made an arrest in connection to a sexual assault investigation in Scott County.

Scott County Sheriff Wes Drury tells KWOC News that 59 year old Mark Friend was arrested on Wednesday and allegedly confessed to sexual acts with juveniles.

Friend has been charged with child molestation 2nd degree-aggravated sexual offense of a child less than 17 years old, statutory sodomy 1st degree, and statutory rape.

He is being held in the Scott County jail on a $100,000 cash only bond.

  FLOOD RELIEF BENEFIT TO BE HELD NEXT WEEKEND IN POPLAR BLUFF

  A Flood Relief Benefit has been scheduled for next weekend in Poplar Bluff.

The benefit will be held on Saturday, May 13th from 11 am to 2 pm at the First Baptist Church Parking Lot. Organizers say that three local non-profits will receive the funds and supplies gathered from the event to serve residents in Poplar Bluff, Doniphan, Ellington, and Van Buren.

The three non profits are The Bread Shed, Whole Kids Outreach, and the South Central Community Action Agency. Organizers say there will be food, a silent auction, as well as entertainment, and the event is being sponsored by First Choice Insurance and the Bank of Missouri.

  ROAD CLOSURES CONTINUE THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Many roads are still flooded in Southeast Missouri.

Missouri Department of Transportation officials say that Highway 53, between Poplar Bluff and Qulin reopened at 11 am Thursday. However with the Black River forecast to rise above the flood stage again today, MoDot say they will continue monitoring the road in case a closure is necessary.

Clay County Sheriff Terry Miller tells KWOC News that Highway 67 South has been closed to commercial traffic from Corning to Pocahontas.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is also reminding motorists that driving through a road that has been closed by MoDot is not only dangerous, it is also illegal. Motorists are being urged to not put themselves or 1st responders in jeopardy.

A list of flooded roads is available on our website and the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traveler’s Information map at modot.org. However, these lists might not be 100 percent accurate, so motorists are urged to use caution while on the roadways.

A map of flooded roads in Northeast Arkansas is available online at IDriveArkansas.com.

Butler County:

• Route 142-Route B in Ripley County to Route HH near Vastus in Butler County and from Route HH north to Route 158
• Route N-CRD 243 to CRD 232
• Route HH-from Route H to CRD 329
• Route H-from Route HH to near the end of state maintenance

Carter County:

• Route Y

Dunklin County:

• Route UU-from Route NN to CRD 711/end of state maintenance
• Route DD-west of Route53; from CRD 213 to CRD 203.

New Madrid County:

• Route 162-from CRD 439 to stateline
• Route P-at St. John’s Diversion Channel from Route BB to CRD 727

Ripley County:

• Route 142-from Route B in Ripley County to Route HH near Vastus in Butler County (and in Butler County from Route HH north to Route 158)
• Route AA
• Route H
• Route W

Stoddard County:

• Eastbound Route 60 Ramp at Route 51 (Fisk/Puxico)

Wayne County:

• Route 143-Route 34 in Wayne County to Route 49 in Iron County
• Route FF-CRD 378 to CRD 380
• Route KK-south of CRD 456
• Business 67-from Route D to US 67; near Greenville, Mo.
• Route 49-from Mill Spring, Mo. to CRD 440
• Route HH-from Route RA in Reynolds County to Tacketts Pocket near Piedmont in Wayne County
• Route D-at East Fork Lost Creek
• Route T-from the Wayne/Butler County line to Route D