By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Heavy rain throughout the area has raised water levels, spawning flooding which has closed a number of roads, disrupting traffic.
Missouri River flooding is closing Highway 59 in southern Buchanan County once again, cutting off the route over the Missouri into Atchison, Kansas. Highway 59 will close at two o’clock this afternoon.
The St. Joseph Police Department has issued a warning to avoid several roads in southern Buchanan County due to flooding. Motorists are advised to steer clear of 126th, 130th, 116th, and 110th.
Platte River flooding has closed roads in eastern Buchanan County, according to Emergency Management Director Bill Brinton. The Platte at Agency is up to 23.1 feet. It is expected to crest tomorrow morning at 24 feet.
Southeast 123 Road has been closed as well as SE Kemmer Road, SE 115 Road, SE Horn Road, and SE 112 Road.
Missouri River flooding in the western district of Buchanan County has prompted the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Western District officials to close U.S. Highway 59 once again. MoDOT will close Highway 59 from Route 45 at Rushville to Atchison, Kansas. Motorists are advised to use Highway 36 into Kansas as an alternate route.
The Missouri at Atchison rose to 24.67 feet. It is expected to crest tomorrow afternoon at 25.7 feet. Other roads closed due to Missouri River flooding include SW North Shore Road, SW 126 Road, SW 116 Road, SW 110 Road, and SW Lake View Road.
Meanwhile, K-7 north of White Cloud has been closed after a mud slide covered the entire roadway, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation. Transportation officials say traffic cannot get through the mud slide and motorists need to find alternative routes.
Flooding in the Chillicothe area is expected to greatly disrupt traffic.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office reports major flooding is expected on the Grand River this week with a crest of 37.8 feet anticipated tomorrow.
The sheriff’s office expects floodwaters to force the closing of U.S. 65 south of Chillicothe this evening. The office warns residents in the Avalon, Bedford, Blue Mound, and Dawn areas to make certain they have ample food, medicine and fuel. U.S. 36 west of Chillicothe may require traffic to be routed over two lanes due to flooding, according to the sheriff’s office.
Livingston County says it is working with emergency services in Carroll County to assist on any emergency response in the south and southeastern part of Livingston County over the next 48 hours.
The sheriff’s office warns motorists not to attempt to drive through flood water, because you cannot be certain of the depth of the water or if part of the roadway has washed away.
For more information about road closings in Missouri, click here for the MoDOT website.