Evacuation order lifted in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KRCU) - Based on the current river stage and the forecasted precipitation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the Black River in Poplar Bluff will crest at 19.5 feet — half a foot lower than on Thursday, April 28 when evacuation orders were lifted and residents of south Poplar Bluff were allowed to go home.

When the Black River peaked on April 26 at 8 AM, it about three-quarters of a foot lower than the flood of 2008. Authorities lifted all evacuation orders in Poplar Bluff on the morning of April 28, and the evacuation center at the Black River Coliseum was vacated the next day.

Flood relief efforts continue as residents return home and discover the damage to their homes.

Lake Wappapello poses the worst threat for future flooding. Army Corps of Engineers leadership have expressed concern that Wappapello and the St. Francis River pose one of the greatest flood challenges moving forward.

Matthew Clanahan, KRCU

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McCaskill visits flooded Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KRCU) - Senator Claire McCaskill travelled to flood-ravaged Poplar Bluff on Wednesday, where she met with evacuees and first responders at the Black River Coliseum.

McCaskill praised the rescuers and volunteers who are assisting flood victims in the southern Missouri town. But she was concerned that Poplar Bluff’s levees have failed twice since 2008.

"It’s hard for us to do more right now because we’re trying to spend less," McCaskill said. "But having said that, the federal government may end up spending a significant amount of money down here in terms of disaster recovery. So we always would rather spend the money at the front end than at the back end. And that’s the message I’m going back to Washington with."

McCaskill suggested that the federal government provide more resources to struggling communities and that FEMA slightly lower their certification standards for levees.

Matthew Clanahan, KRCU

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Another round of storms hits Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KRCU) - Residents of Poplar Bluff, Missouri hunkered down for another round of storms last night. An overnight storm dumped another two inches of rain on the saturated community, but the fragile levee protecting the town survived the downpour. 

The Black River in Poplar Bluff has risen to dangerously high levels which prompted a mandatory evacuation. The teetering levee breached just south of town, pouring floodwater through rural Butler County.

Lieutenant Brian Evans with Sheriff’s Department says that the Missouri National Guard has helped rescue over 150 people from the floodwaters. He describes the scene “surreal.”

“It’s the biggest lake I’ve ever seen, I guess. The bottom part of the county is all flat and it’s farmland. And it’s pretty much covered,” Evans said.

An estimated 7,000 people live in the flooded area. There have been no reported fatalities or major injuries.

At the Black River Coliseum, between 250 and 300 evacuees took cover from the storm.

Among them is Nallely Martinez, who bided her time with her family watching YouTube videos and checking up on Facebook. Like many of the flood victims, she lives in the evacuated zone and misses the comforts of home.

“Yeah, like my drier. We just bought a drier like a week ago. You know? Oh well, if something happens to it, I cannot do anything. At least we’re safe,” Martinez said.

The National Weather Service predicts one more day of heavy rain for Poplar Bluff.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

Photo: Empty cots are scattered across the Black River Coliseum as flood evacuees line up for dinner. Photo by Matthew Clanahan. 

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Residents evacuate low-lying Poplar Bluff neighborhoods

POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KRCU) - Residents of Poplar Bluff fled to higher ground Monday as the city issued a mandatory evacuation of its low-lying southern neighborhoods.

City officials decided that the Black River levee was bound to fail, and took action to remove residents from their houses.

The Black River levee is leaking but it did not rupture overnight.

The police department is reporting 59 water rescues Monday night. Most of the rescues were people who were trapped in their homes.

Captain Don Trout says that there are currently 259 people in the Black River Coliseum, which is serving as an evacuation shelter.

As many at 1500 residents fled their homes for higher ground, according to Jim Hoyt, a Poplar Bluff pastor.

He says that he has seen homes with a foot or two of water. Any neighborhood near the Black River been impacted by the floods.

"It has not only crested the edge of the river, but it has gone, probably, I would guess, a mile inland," Hoyt said. "And it’s filled every yard and every basement and it’s gotten up in to homes that entire way. I mean, it’s pretty bad."

At least 150 residents have taken shelter at the Black River Coliseum. Hoyt says that the facility is also in a flood-prone area and has become difficult to access.

“It’s unfortunate that our largest facility in town is kinda’ right in the middle of the flooding zone. So it’s really hard to get to the actual place where they are staying,” Hoyt said.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon activated the National Guard yesterday to assist with emergency response efforts.

The troops’ effort will include assisting local emergency response teams with threats to levees near Poplar Bluff and other southern Missouri communities.

About 200 are in Poplar Bluff to assist emergency responders.

The National Weather Service is forecasting more rain through Wednesday.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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Region pummeled by more severe weather

Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois communities braced for yet another round of torrential rain last night as thunderstorms rumbled across the region.

The storms left more water on already saturated ground, increasing the risk of flash floods. River crest prediction were raised.

Flooded streets were reported in Jackson, Cape Girardeau, and Anna, Illinois.

Funnel clouds were spotted west of Marble Hill, where the roofs were blown off of barns, trees were splintered, and at least one trailer was snapped in half.

Law enforcement agents also reported a funnel cloud near Doniphan in Ripley County.

And a possible tornado was spotted west of Poplar Bluff, where more rain fell on the already flooded city.

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Plane that landed at SIU farm was bound for Poplar Bluff

The pilot of the airplane that made an emergency landing just outside of Carbondale, Illinois on Friday was on his way home to Poplar Bluff.

Matt Hillis, who has had his pilot license for two years, was flying his Columbia 400 four-seater back from an Indianapolis Pacers game. He was at 10,000 feet and about 25 miles southwest of Carbondale when he starting losing power to his engine.

Hillis says he turned around to land at Carbondale’s airport when he completely lost power.

“I mean at that point, the only thing you can do is try to make it to the airport. And if you can’t, find the safest place to put it down as possible,” Hillis said.

Unable to find a road without any cars, Hillis had to touch down in the Southern Illinois University farm.

“The way that it was, the lay of the land was real hilly so I kind of bounced off a couple of hills before I came skidding to a stop,” the pilot said.

Hillis was uninjured in the landing, but his airplane is totaled. The Federal Aviation Administration is still conducting an investigation into the incident.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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