Waiting for the Big Flood

Thankfully, I live in the hills that run along the Missouri River in Iowa. So our home is safe. However, the Missouri River in our area is estimated to reach 3-6 feet above flood stage in the next week or two, and stay there for quite some time. The small towns close to the river may be flooded for 6 months or more.

Yes, it's going to be bad. But, people are getting advanced warning at least, they can get their things moved out before it comes. This is a luxury the people of Joplin, Missouri didn't have with the tornadoes, still it's not much consolation for those that lose their homes but at least there should be no loss of life. Hopefully the levee system will hold, it's untested in these conditions. If the levees don't hold, things will be much worse.

I drove down to and had a look at the Missouri River today, it reminds me more of the Mississippi right now, which also flooded many areas this year. I've never seen it this high, and it's nowhere near what they say is coming yet. What a reminder of how powerful mother nature is. Please keep everyone along the river in your thoughts and prayers. It's going to be a long year for them.

(Sorry, link didn't work, probably a facebook privacy issue.)

 

Pianolady... so glad that your home is safe. I'm still trying to figure out why Mother Nature is so upset this year. Tornados! Floods! Drought! Fires! And Hurricane season officially opened today.
I just keep hoping that lives aren't lost and property loss is at a minimum.
You stay "high & dry" up there, okay?

 

Thanks, I will! Scary thing is hubby came in with a check he wanted me to put in the bank. I told him to just cash it for spending $ and he said no, just in case we need it if he gets laid off during the flood. :-| His company is located right next to the levee on the dry side. He's right, we'd best squirrel some $ away just in case the levee fails.

 

Having the levee fail is a terrible thought, especially if people loose jobs. Floods can take a long time to subside. I hope everything stays together.

Jerry

 

I can't access your link. Fortunately we've never experienced flooding where we live but have seen what it can do. I'll keep the people by the river in my thoughts and send every good wish their way. Please be safe!

 

Wow Pianolady, I don't think I would have known this if you hadn't told us. I can't access the page, so I can't see your pics, but it sounds awful. Hope you all stay safe.

 

I can't access the page either, but stay safe Pianolady!

 

June 2, 2011. They started releasing water from Gavins Point Dam yesterday and will increase the rate through the month of June. I took these photos from the pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River at Omaha. These are "before" pictures, none of that water released from the dam is here yet and we're already above flood stage.

http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac183/007Pianolady/Missouri River Flood 2011/?albumview=slideshow

 

I heard on the news that to relieve pressure, the Corps of Engineers was releasing water into the Missouri. There is a small town that has a temporary levee built and is hoping that the town will be spared.
I do hope and pray that there is minimal damage, no loss of life, and that everyone in the flood plain is able to remove their possessions before the water arrives.

 

Yes, this is exactly right. There's a lot of debate as to whether this could have been prevented had they released water earlier in the year instead of allowing it to reach this point where they had no choice than to release it now to protect the dam's integrity (into a river already above flood stage). Many home owners, right or wrong, are not happy with the Corps of Engineers and think they blew it. There are towns trying to build levies, but are telling their residents to move out. The town of Hamburg, Iowa is one such town.

http://www.hamburgreporter.com/features ... al-Hamburg

 

The whole world seems to be in dissarray over the last few years, ive never known such freakish terrible weather systems! Its very sad when homes (and lives!) are lost due to mother nature!

 

I hope the levees hold and flooding is minimal up there. Back in 1993 there was severe flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. My mom volunteered to help with the relief efforts up there. Is this worse than that, or does anyone know ? It would seem prudent to release the waters earlier in the season since all the runoff from snow and rains has to go downriver.

Take care up there, and be careful in flooded areas.

 

Yes, this is supposed to be much worse than the 1993 flood. More down the lines of the 1952 flood (documentary on the 1952 flood is the link if you are a history buff). Nobody really knows what will happen as the levy system has been untested in this kind of situation. It's the length of the flooding that's the biggest problem, it'll be there months instead of flooding then receding.

My husband's employer has decided to increase the height of their earthen levy around the plant/distribution center with sandbags. Dh will we pulling 12 hour shifts sandbagging this weekend there. I think it's just now dawning on people that they need to sandbag, some denial going on I think.

 

Prayers going up for you Piano Lady!