Team Saint Louis-Blog

The Flood of 1993, 20 years later

2013-08-01T11:53:00.000-05:00

By Col. Christopher Hall

Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District

St. Louis flood wall during the '93 flood.

Twenty years ago today the Mississippi River reached its highest point in recorded history on the St. Louis gage. The river was only a few feet from the top of the St. Louis flood wall, and had already overwhelmed many smaller levees throughout the region. The Flood of 1993 claimed dozens of lives, incurred billions of dollars in damages, and forever changed many communities along the river.

In our collective memory, the unprecedented flood has come to represent the risk we live with along these dynamic rivers. The Flood of 1993 is a shared experience of people coming together in a crisis, a motivation to lower our flood risk, and a historic lesson of living along the Mississippi River.

Corps of Engineers employees after the flood wall breach.

For some, the Flood of ‘93 calls to mind long hours of working tirelessly to save towns, businesses and homes. The St. Louis District had nearly 400 employees in the flood fight, including 143 people deployed to the field. They spent weeks working shoulder-to-shoulder with local communities to shore up levees as the river kept rising. For some, the crest represented a hard-won victory as the river slowly receded off the levee. For others, no amount of fighting could keep the river back.

I joined the St. Louis District in 2011, and in that time I’ve seen a few floods. In June of this year, we reached the fourth highest recorded stage since the Corps put a river gage on the Eads Bridge more than 150 years ago. Most of today’s Corps leaders in St. Louis cut their teeth on the Flood of ’93. When I visited our flood fight teams in the field in June, I was consistently impressed with the passion and professionalism they put into their mission. They put everything into a flood fight.

Lock 24 during the '93 Flood.

To this day we are invested professionally and personally in serving the region improving safety, economy and quality of life. The 13 million sandbags may be long gone, but the lasting partnerships built with the communities and states we serve stands as a lasting real impact of the flood fights.

For others, the Flood of ‘93 is a daily motivation twenty years later. The greatest flood has made some communities reexamine how they can lower their risk of flooding by reducing the chance as well as the consequences.

The St. Louis District has been tackling the monumental task of rehabilitating the Metro East levees, replacing aging infrastructure and addressing the underseepage that arose during the ’93 flood. These Illinois levees, from Alton south to Columbia, protect thousands of lives and billions of dollars of property, industry and infrastructure. The Corps of Engineers has invested more than $120 million towards this effort, and is nearing completion of the effort to withstand a flood even greater than what we saw in 1993. Many other communities have also reinvested in their flood infrastructure, fixing or upgrading levee systems.

City of Alton during the '93 flood.

Lowering flood risk is a shared responsibility and has as much to do with preparedness in our communities as the levee itself. Responsible land use, emergency planning and education can all help reduce flood risk to a community. No matter how high we build a levee, the risk remains. We continue to find ways with our partners to lower that risk at the federal, state, and local levels.

During every flood since, the question is invariably asked, “Will this be another Flood of 1993?”

The river will come up again, and that record flood will be exceeded. What is most important when remembering the Flood of 1993 is what we’ve learned since. The last two decades have seen major advances in technology, giving us faster ways to track, communicate and respond in an emergency. Technology has helped reshape how we prepare for, respond to and recover from floods.

We have also learned from personal experience what to look for when the levees are put to the test. Our engineers have experience and shared knowledge to draw from fighting the greatest flood in our region’s history.

The Corps of Engineers has been in St. Louis in one form or another since the 1830s. We not only have experience in the extremes of the dynamic Mississippi River; we are a part of the region’s history and its people. I consider myself privileged to be a part of that tradition, serving the people of the St. Louis area and the nation.

When the river rises again, the Corps of Engineers will be prepared to work with our neighbors and partners, to bring our resources and expertise to bear, and to continue fulfilling our commitment to the safety, economy and quality of life of the region and the nation.

Corps of Engineers and Coast Guard urges boaters to stay off flooded rivers

2013-04-24T14:53:00.000-05:00

(U.S. Coast Guard photo)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard are urging people to stay off of flooded rivers.

Due to large amounts of debris, fast currents, unmarked submerged objects and other dangerous conditions, the U.S. Coast Guard are requiring recreational boaters to refrain from boating on flooded areas of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois River.

Rivers are unpredictable and dangerous in a flood. Even if someone has lived along a river his whole life, he shouldn’t assume it will behave the same way during a flood. It’s not a good time to be recreating on or near the rivers.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers join in urging all citizens to keep safety uppermost in their minds, especially during this high water event:

Watch the situation around you especially if you live or work in flood-prone areas.
Stay in touch through the media for latest updates and warnings.
Have a “what if” plan if you live or work in a flood prone area.
Do not wade or swim or take recreation boats into river waters. They are especially treacherous now.
Turn around ... don't drown!" Never drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/floodfight2013

MoDOT To Hold Public Meeting to Discuss Options for Route T at Lake Wappapello

2011-09-21T09:53:00.000-05:00

The Missouri Department of Transportation will hold an open-house public meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29 to discuss a long-term solution for Route T at Lake Wappapello. The briefing will be held at the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center, located at 10992 Route T, Wappapello, Mo.

Due to flooding in May, a portion of Route T near
Lake Wappapello was washed out as the lake
levels topped the dam.

A portion of Route T was washed out as lake levels topped the dam during the flood in May. Since the flood, MoDOT has constructed a temporary bypass in this area and is working to find a long-term solution with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

During the meeting, MoDOT will present five potential options for reconstructing Route T. Options will include: reconstructing the road on the prior alignment, adding a low water overflow, relocating the route to the east of its prior alignment, aligning the route to follow the present bypass or constructing a bridge. The options range in cost from approximately $1.3-2.1 million.

"We look forward to gaining input from the public about the options," said District Design Engineer Barry Horst. "Visitors can stop-by anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. to discuss the details with a member of the project team and provide their comments."

For more information, please contact Horst at (573) 472-5289, Transportation Project Designer Tim Pickett at (573) 472-6599 or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MODOT (275-6636). An online meeting is also available at: http://www.modot.org/southeast/news_and_information/public_meetings/index.htm

Rivers Update - August 10, 2011

2011-08-10T08:45:00.000-05:00

As of August 9, 2011, 10:35 a.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 25.9 feet.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 25.1 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 1.5" of precipitation in some areas over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Public safety remains the Corps top priority. We ask everyone to stay informed of current conditions and remember there is always risk inherent with flooding. Visit our Flood Fight web page for additional information and resources, http://bit.ly/floodfight

Current conditions and National Weather Service forecasts indicate only minor flooding is expected in the St. Louis area. However, there is always risk associated with flooding, and there is a potential for higher water if above normal rain falls in the watershed.

Based on current forecasts, there is no immediate threat of levees overtopping on the Missouri or Mississippi Rivers. A range of possibilities have been looked at based on average rain falling in the Missouri River Basin.

We are tracking this event and will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service.

The St Louis District will continue to provide updated information to our partners so that levee districts, emergency managers, local and state officials, residents and businesses can make informed decisions.

For updates of Missouri River conditions in the St. Louis District, visit the following sites:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/amG6Gw
Twitter: http://bit.ly/hidNK7
Flickr: http://bit.ly/eHAWgv
YouTube: http://bit.ly/fYqhXT
Flood Fight Webpage: http://bit.ly/floodfight
#STLResponse

Rivers Update - August 9, 2011

2011-08-09T08:49:00.000-05:00

As of August 8, 2011, 9:23 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 25.9 feet.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 25.1 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 1" of precipitation in some areas over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - August 8, 2011

2011-08-08T08:15:00.000-05:00

As of August 7, 2011, 8:23 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 26.6 feet.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 25.2 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 1-2" of precipitation in some areas over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - August 5, 2011

2011-08-05T08:06:00.000-05:00

As of August 4, 2011, 10:24 a.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO is at 14.7 feet.

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 28.1 feet and is expect to crest at 28.3 feet on August 5, 2011.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 25.7 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 1.0" of precipitation in some areas over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - August 4, 2011

2011-08-04T10:26:00.000-05:00

As of August 3, 2011, 9:50 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO is at 14.7 feet.

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 28.1 feet and is expect to crest at 28.4 feet on August 5, 2011.

Rivers Update - August 3, 2011

2011-08-03T08:19:00.000-05:00

As of August 2, 2011, 9:13 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO is at 15.2 feet.

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 27.7 feet and is expect to crest at 28.4 feet on August 5, 2011.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 25.6 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 0.5” and up to an inch of precipitation in some areas over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - August 2, 2011

2011-08-02T08:10:00.000-05:00

As of August 1, 2011, 8:39 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO is at 15.1 feet and is expect to crest at 15.7 feet on August 3, 2011.

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 27.4 feet and is expect to crest at 28.6 feet on August 5, 2011.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 25.6 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 0.25” of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

River Forecasts for the St. Louis District Area

2011-08-01T11:44:00.000-05:00

The Upper Mississippi River at Locks 24 & 25 are expected to crest about a foot above flood stage

The Mississippi River at Mel Price Locks & Dam is expected to crest right around flood stage

The Mississippi River at St. Louis is expected to crest just below flood stage

The Mississippi River at Chester and Cape is expected to crest just above flood stage

The Missouri River is holding steady right now

For more information on Rivers & Reservoirs in the St.Louis District visit: http://bit.ly/gX5h6j and be sure to visit our 2011 Flood Fight Webpage.

Rivers Update - August 1, 2011

2011-08-01T10:56:00.000-05:00

As of July 31, 2011, 8:57 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO is at 14.5 feet and is expect to crest at 16.0 feet on August 3, 2011.

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 27.3 feet and is expect to crest at 29.0 feet on August 6, 2011.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 25.5 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 0.5” of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 28, 2011

2011-07-28T09:17:00.000-05:00

As of July 27, 2011, 9:04 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 26.4 feet.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 25.4 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 0.25” of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 27, 2011

2011-07-27T08:41:00.000-05:00

As of July 26, 2011, 9:09 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 25.8 feet.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 25.3 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 0.25” of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 22, 2011

2011-07-22T08:45:00.000-05:00

As of July 21, 2011, 9:18 p.m.:

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 25.4 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for a up to 0.75” of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 21, 2011

2011-07-21T08:25:00.001-05:00

As of July 20, 2011, 8:59 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 26.6 feet.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 25.7 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for a 0.25” of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 20, 2011

2011-07-20T08:34:00.000-05:00

As of July 19, 2011, 10:40 a.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 28.3 feet.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 26.0 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for a 0.25” of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 14, 2011

2011-07-14T08:11:00.000-05:00

As of July 13, 2011, 8:50 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 31.0 feet.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 26.8 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for no additional precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 13, 2011

2011-07-13T08:28:00.000-05:00

As of July 12, 2011, 9:02 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Chester, MO is at 31.6 feet.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 27.0 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 1” of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 12, 2011

2011-07-12T08:28:00.000-05:00

As of July 11, 2011, 8:38 p.m.:

The Upper Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO is at 13.9 feet.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 26.9 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 0.5” of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 11, 2011

2011-07-11T08:19:00.000-05:00

As of July 11, 2011, 8:01 am:

The Upper Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO is at 14.0 feet and falling.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 27.1 feet.

The 5-day forecast calls for up to 0.75” of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 6, 2011

2011-07-06T08:49:00.000-05:00

As of July 5, 2011, 8:21 pm:

The Upper Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO is at 15.0 feet and falling.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 27.3 feet, and has crested.

As of this morning, the 5-day forecast calls for up to 0.5” of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 5, 2011

2011-07-05T08:56:00.000-05:00

As of 8:05 am, July 5, 2011:

The Upper Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO is at 14.8 feet and falling.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 27.7 feet, and has crested.

As of this morning, the 5-day forecast calls for up to .25-1 inch of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 3, 2011

2011-07-03T09:06:00.000-05:00

As of 8:00 am, July 3, 2011:

The Upper Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO is at 15.6 feet and falling.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 27.88 feet, expected to crest July 4 at 28.3 feet.

As of this morning, the 5-day forecast calls for up to 1-1.5 inches of precipitation over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight

Rivers Update - July 2, 2011

2011-07-02T08:59:00.000-05:00

As of 8:30 am, July 2, 2011:

The Upper Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO is at 16.3 feet and falling.

The Missouri River at St. Charles, MO is at 27.6 feet, expected to crest July 4 at 27.9 feet.

As of this morning, the 5-day forecast calls for a trace of precipitation up to 0.25 of an inch over the St. Louis District area. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of the full-range of forecasts provided by the National Weather Service. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/floodfight