Mississippi crests; Guard on duty in county
Major flooding continued as the Mississippi River crested early this week in Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri.
In response to the flooding, Illinois National Guard personnel are on duty in Union County.
The past week has brought several days without rain, and even some welcome sunshine, to the region.
Showers and thunderstorms were in the forecast for Wednesday, June 12.
The forecast also was calling for the possibility of showers and thunderstorms each day from Friday through Sunday, June 14-17.
River Flooding Updates
The National Weather Service office in Paducah reported early this week that flood warnings remained in effect until further notice for the Mississippi River and Big Muddy River. Both rivers border Union County.
Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau: The weather service reported that at 8 p.m. Monday, the river’s stage was 46.2 feet. Flood stage is 32.0 feet.
Major flooding was occurring. Major flooding was in the forecast.
The river was cresting near 46.3 feet. The forecast called for the river to begin to slowly fall Tuesday night, June 11.
Mississippi River at Thebes: At 8 p.m. Monday, the river’s stage was at 43.6 feet. Flood stage is 33.0 feet.
Major flooding was occurring. Major flooding was in the forecast.
The forecast called for the river to continue rising to near 43.7 feet by Tuesday morning, June 11, and then begin falling.
Big Muddy River near Murphysboro: At 7:30 p.m. Monday, the river’s stage was 31.7 feet. Flood stage is 22.0 feet.
Moderate flooding is occurring. Moderate flooding was in the forecast.
The river was cresting near 31.7 feet. The forecast called for the river stage to hold steady until Tuesday night, June 11, and then slowly fall.
Local Response
Union County Sheriff Scott Harvel said on Tuesday that officials continue to monitor the flood situation around the clock. River levee systems remained stable.
Harvel said that about 26 Illinois National Guard personnel were on duty early this week in Union County helping with sandbagging work.
The sheriff said that residents in local areas impacted by the flooding continue to be encouraged to monitor the situation through news outlets and social media. Preparedness is a key, he said. As of Tuesday, no evacuations had been ordered in the county.
Union County emergency services coordinator Dana Pearson said that for those who are monitoring the Mississippi River around the clock, a 40 foot stage is a key.
That level, however, is not expected until next week. Pearson said the Mississippi River has been above 40 feet for nearly 80 days.
Pearson has been working nonstop for the last three weeks to coordinate local response to the flooding.
That work has involved coordinating the efforts of multiple local and state agencies, including the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois National Guard, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
Local churches, along with others, also are helping, offering such support as providing food to those who are involved in the flood-fighting effort.
He said that one person along the Old Cape Road in Union County had evacuated in response to the flooding.
Three days of sunshine this week helped to boost spirits. Pearson noted that in the river bottoms, some farmers were even planting beans.
The development of sand boils along the levee system remain a key concern for those monitoring the situation, Pearson said.
Union County Highway Department engineer Kevin Grammer said that sand boils are common. As many as 100 of the sand boils have been reported on just a half an acre during the recent flooding. Sand boils can lead to the development of conditions which can weaken levees.
A recent sand boil situation near Wolf Lake was met with a quick response from state and local agencies, as well as a private contractor.