Volunteers were at work last Saturday afternoon filling sandbags in Wolf Lake. The volunteers came from Wolf Lake, Ware and Anna. The sandbags were to be used where they were needed in the river bottom lands.Trucks were moving back and forth along the Wagon Wheel Road last Saturday afternoon as they transported gravel for work which was being done to stabilize a sand boil near Wolf Lake. Parts of the road had been raised with rock and gravel. Part of the road also was under water at the time.

Officials issue flood advisory for Union County

Levees systems in good shape; all levee roads closed to traffic

Local officials on Monday, June 3, issued a flood advisory for Union County.

The advisory was issued in a statement released on Monday by the Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Union County Emergency Management Agency.

The advisory was signed by Union County Sheriff Scott Harvel, Union County 911 director Crystal Gurley and Union County Board of Commissioners chairman Max Miller.

Union County residents who reside in low lying areas that are prone to flooding are advised to be aware of area conditions and to take precautions until river stages fall to a safe level.

The flood advisory statement continues:

“Please monitor all local news outlets, social media sites and the Union County web site to stay apprised of the most current information.

“Until further notice, all normal siren testing has been suspended.

“As a warning to the residents in the Wolf Lake and Ware area, in the event of a levee breach/flooding situation, the tornado sirens will be activated for a three (3) minute period.

“Due to the threat posed by the serious flooding conditions, by the authority of the Levee District and the Union County Sheriff, Scott Harvel, all levee roads are closed to public traffic.

“On May 31, 2019, Union County Board Chairman, Max Miller, signed a Union County Disaster Proclamation declaring Union County in a state of emergency due to the raising Mississippi river levels which have a detrimental effect on county roads and levee systems. This record flooding event has caused a great financial impact to the county, hence the proclamation.

“Residents with any questions or concerns are urged to contact the Union County Sheriff’s Office at 618-833-5500.”

Levees in Good Shape

Sheriff Harvel on Tuesday morning shared some good news about the river levees in Union County.

“Our levee systems are still in good shape,” the sheriff said.

Levee conditions are being monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Union County Sheriff’s Office has stepped up patrols in the river bottom lands.

A number of other state and local agencies are joining in the effort to monitor levees and to oversee the response to flooding.

Agencies involved in the effort include the sheriff’s office, the county emergency management agency, local levee district commissioners, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

While local residents are being encouraged to monitor flood conditions, no evacuations had taken place as of early this week, the sheriff said.

A sand boil situation developed during the past week along the Mississippi River levee west of Wolf Lake. 

The sand boil was discovered on Friday. Nearly non-stop work began immediately to stabilize the situation.

 

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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