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| THIS SUBMERGED CAR in a field off of Route H in Howard County graphically illustrates the folly of attempting to drive through flood waters. According to the Howard County Sheriff's Department, Fayette resident Clinton Jones, believed to be in his late teens, was northbound on H and was swept into a field by rushing waters which had inundated a field near Boone Femme Creek Monday afternoon. Clinton climbed out of the car and was not injured. He was northbound on H about a mile north of the Route O intersection. (JIM STEELE STAFF PHOTO) |
Not unlike much of the nation's mid-section, the Boonslick area has been hard-hit with unusually heavy rainfall in recent days.
Fully 4.44 inches have fallen here since Saturday and several Howard County roads are closed as the result of flooding.
Flood warnings remain in effect.
As of Fayette Advertiser press time at noon Tuesday, the following county roads are closed: Route Z, County Roads 201, 204, 336, 342, 401, 406, 425, 427, 448, 455.
Other roads which were closed Monday night, but reopened Tuesday morning, include:
' Route A (south of Highway 124 and near Route CC) has 2 inches over it, but it is passable.
' Route H
' County Road 306 at Richland Bridge washed-out Monday night, but county road and bridge crews repaired the bridge early Tuesday morning and 306 is now open.
Motorists may go to www.modot.org and click on 'Traveler Information Map' for up-to-date information on road conditions.
The National Weather Service announced Tuesday at 10:04 a.m. that a flood warning is in effect for Howard and other surrounding counties.
At 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Moniteau Creek crested at 18.3 feet, 2.3 feet above flood stage. Waters receded to 16.3 feet at 9:30 a.m. The forecast was that creek levels will continue to fall below flood stage (16.0) by Tuesday afternoon.
Though water levels have lowered, a flood warning remains in effect until Wednesday afternoon or until the warning is cancelled. As of press time, minor flooding is reported but not predicted to continue.
A flood warning means that flooding is imminent or in progress. Those in affected areas should take necessary precautions immediately.
The NWS reminds motorists to not drive through flowing water. Nearly half of all flood fatalities are vehicle related. As little as 6 inches of water may cause loss of control of a vehicle. Two feet of water will carry most vehicles away.
The rain comes after four months of above-average precipitation for the north central region of the state.
The Howard County Commission is advising motorists to drive with extra care on county roads. Because of ground saturation, combined with freezing and thawing, rural roads are in worse condition than at any time in recent memory.
Area residents can look forward to drier weather in the future. Forecasters predict partly cloudy skies today (Wednesday) and mostly sunny or partly sunny weather from Thursday through Saturday.
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