Nearly 200 people turned out for an informational meeting in South St Joseph Wednesday, as city and county officials released details of the emergency evacuation plan for the area. The meeting at St. James Church featured a number of city and county officials fielding questions from members of the public.

Many turned out to criticize the Army Corps of Engineers or to question their methods and numbers.

Senior Master Sergeant Eric Hopkins of the 139th Airlift Wing told the gathering that levee patrols on four-wheeled “gators” would soon be expanded. That made one participant angry.

“Stay off our levee,” she said.

Hopkins explained that a pair of guardsmen on one of the John Deere style buggies is better than a lot of people on foot tramping up and down the levee.

Currently patrols are limited to the daylight hours, looking for sloughs, slides, breaches, boils and trespassers. Hopkins says by early next week they would be expanded to 24 hours a day.

Questions covered subjects ranging from what areas would be flooded to what to do if you are separated from loved ones or pets during a flood emergency.

Officials recommended that residents of the area have their medications and their pets ready just in case, to “hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” They also recommended you keep some kind of proof of residency handy, because it will be required to re-enter the flood zone once that’s allowed.

Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong said the county’s evacuation plan for people in the area was essentially to “find your best way to U-highway,” from which transportation would be available.

Officials say there will be buses available to Benton High School, for those who don’t have transportation.  Bus stops will be at 5200 Lake Ave, 5800 Lake Ave., Alabama Street and Diagonal Road; and Alabama Street and Ingersoll Road.