Much of Olive Branch remains underwater

OLIVE BRANCH, IL (KRCU) - Even though river levels are declining, much of Olive Branch, Illinois remains submerged. 

The small community in Alexander County was hit hard by rising floodwaters from both the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Even now, many of the town’s homes and businesses are underwater.

Andy Clark’s home sits on higher ground and avoided direct flooding. But his father’s home shares a common story with so many others in southern Illinois.

"It came up too suddenly. It was kind of unexpected the way the water came that direction. So we were not able to sandbag or do anything," Clark said. "It was kind of just out of the blue. So he lost a lot of stuff and, of course, we’re going to be trying to clean that up tomorrow or the next day."

Clark says that his father’s home had survived previous floods without a drop of water entering the house. This time, it took on 6 inches of flood water.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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Judge Limbaugh rules in favor of Army Corps of Engineers

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - A federal judge gave the Army Corps of Engineers the go ahead to destroy a levee in rural Missouri. The man-made breach would ease flooding on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers

Judge Steven Limbaugh ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers has legal authority to breach the Birds Point levee, just south of the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed a temporary restraining order against the Corps this week to block the detonation. Koster said in a press release that he would like to see the Eighth District Court review the decision.

Corps spokesman Jim Pogue says there is still no decision on whether or not to go ahead with the plan.

"If the leadership decides that we need to move forward, then that decision would be made at that time," Pogue said.

The levee was designed as an "emergency button" that can be used in times of extremely high river levels. The breach will flood 130,000 acres of farmland.An estimated 200 people live in the affected area.

Flood levels are reaching 60 feet at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers at Cairo, Illinois where some of the most severe flooding is taking place.

Judson Childs is Cairo’s mayor.

“There have been lives at stake, and I can say I think the citizens of Cairo will be very proud that he made that decision. It was just the right thing to do,” Childs said.

Childs has twice issued voluntary evacuations this week.

The Missouri Attorney General’s office has hinted that it may seek an appeal.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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While judge considers levee breach, Olive Branch threatened by rising water

OLIVE BRANCH, IL (KRCU) - As judge Stephen Limbaugh mulls a decision on the Army Corps of Engineer’s authority to open a hole in the Birds Point levee, residents in the small town of Olive Branch fill sandbags and try to salvage what’s left above water. 

Many homes and businesses in Olive Branch are already submerged. The Alexander County community has been under a boil water order for a week. Electricity regularly cuts on and off.

Olive Branch is threatened by water from both the Ohio and Mississippi River. About twenty people - young and old - gather at one home on Route 3, desperately filling sandbags to protect one of the most threatened houses.

Some express animosity towards Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster for blocking the Army Corps of Engineers’ plan to blow the Birds Creek Levee in order to relieve pressure on Cairo and other towns in Alexander County. One woman implores the Attorney General to put on his boots, cross the river, and help fill sandbags.

Everybody offers thanks to the high school students from Goreville and Meridian who volunteered the previous day.

At Olive Branch’s only store, a handwritten sign is posted on the window. It reads in big letters “We Need Help to Sand Bag on Cypress Drive. We are about to get water in our homes.”

The story’s manager, Kelsi Phillips, says that lunch meat is a popular item right now, along with paper towels, bleach, water, and toilet paper.

But her own house is a lost cause.

“It looks like an ocean. My house looks like a swamp. It’s underwater. I was boating in sandbags. I had to get everything to my mom and dad’s. I can’t find any clothes. It’s miserable,” Phillips said.

The river is not expected to crest until next week. Until then, residents will continue to fight off the advancing the water.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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Governor Quinn considers mandatory evacuations

MARION, IL (WSIU) - Residents in several southern Illinois communities are voluntarily evacuating as flood waters continue to rise to potentially historic levels.

During a visit to the State Command Center in Marion Thursday, Governor Pat Quinn says depending on how high the flood waters get, he would not rule out mandatory evacuations for severely flooded areas in southern Illinois.

“We have to make sure that the levees hold if they are in any danger of breaching. And if water is coming towards people in a way that’s life threatening, we will have mandatory evacuation. That’s why we deployed more National Guard service members,” Quinn said.

Quinn activated an additional 200 Illinois National Guard Troops on Thursday to help in the flood fight. That means over 320 guardsmen have been activated throughout southern Illinois...with a heavy emphasis on Alexander and Gallatin counties.

Brad Palmer, WSIU

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