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Dear Friends,
After 1993, many of us prayed we would never see a flood of similar proportions in our lifetimes. Unfortunately, it appears over the next few days we will see near-record levels along the Upper Mississippi River. I am working closely with local, state, and federal emergency management and elected officials to ensure Missourians’ homes and businesses are being protected from the rising waters.
In addition to working with our emergency management personnel and local authorities, I want to continue serving as a resource to my constituents who are in need of information to help meet our ever-changing needs. We are working to update our website as often as possible to provide the most updated information for those needing assistance from the flood. This special section on my website will provide the information you need to help you fight what is quickly becoming “the Flood of ’08.” In addition to the information you see here, please feel free to call my Hannibal District Office with any flood-related questions or inquiries you may have. The number to my Hannibal office is 573-221-1200.
Finally, if you are a volunteer in Northeast Missouri working tirelessly to fill sandbags, prepare food, and provide shelter for the homeless during this flood, Renee and I are deeply thankful for all that you do. You are in our thoughts & prayers.
Sincerely,
Kenny Hulshof
Updates to the below information will be posted as they are made available.
Daily updated reports on flooding throughout the region can be found on the Missouri State Emergency Managament Agency's website:
http://sema.dps.mo.gov/SitReps/Situation%20Reports.htm
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed throughout the region to help fill sandbags in these efforts. Specifically, volunteers are needed in and around the following towns:
Canton
Canton has called for a voluntary evacuation. For more information on the evacuation, please call 573-288-0047 or 573-288-0057 or visit www.culver.edu/flood2008 for information on volunteering as well as updates on the flooding in your area. The American Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter on the Culver campus. The Red Cross hotline is (573) 248-9079.
Pike County
Pike County, Missouri has called for a voluntary evacuation in Louisiana and Clarksville. The Elks Lodge in Louisiana will be used as a temporary shelter.
Alexandria
Volunteers to help fill sandbags and help flood fighting efforts in Alexandria should report to the Community Center on Market Street.
Hannibal
Volunteers are asked to bring shovels, gloves, and sun protection to the parking lot at the corner of 7th Street and Warren Barrett Drive from 6 AM to 6 PM on Saturday, June 14. For more information, please call Hannibal's Emergency Operations Center at 573-221-8050, extension 1.
LaGrange
Volunteers are needed to fill sandbags in LaGrange. For more information and directions to sandbagging sites, please call LaGrange City Hall at 573-655-4301
Additionally, volunteers are needed in the ongoing sandbagging efforts in Quincy, Louisiana and Clarksville.
ASSISTANCE CENTERS
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District: The Corps has established a 24-hour Emergency Operations Center for communities who need assistance. The center may be reached by calling 314-331-8605. The St. Louis District serves areas along the Mississippi River south from Lock & Dam 22 in Saverton as well as Mark Twain Lake in Northeast Missouri.
The American Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter on the Culver campus. The Red Cross hotline is (573) 248-9079.
ROAD CLOSURES
The following roads and bridges are closed as of 5pm Monday, June 16. More information will be forthcoming:
-Quincy Memorial Bridge is closed. Eastbound traffic on U.S. 24 is being diverted to Quincy Bayview Bridge.
-Champ Clark U.S. 54 Bridge at Louisiana is closed.
-U.S. 61 at Alexandria is closed.
-Mo. 79 is closed at Ilasco, on the south side of Louisiana and north of Clarksville.
-Mo. 168 near BASF plant in Marion County is closed.
-Route P in Clark County is closed.
-Route B is closed at Canton and at LaGrange.
-The Canton ferry over the Mississippi River has shut down.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has issued a list of projected road closures that will occur as flood waters rise. Additional road closures will be listed on the MoDOT website as they occur (see link below):
Additionally, MoDOT is updating this list as necessary, and it can be accessed at:
http://www.modot.org/northeast/Thisweeksroadwork.htm
IN CASES OF POTENTIAL EVACUATION:
If you are under a flood watch or warning:
Gather the emergency supplies you previously stocked in your home and stay tuned to local radio or television station for updates.
Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if evacuation appears necessary.
Have your immunization records handy or be aware of your last tetanus shot, in case you should receive a puncture wound or a wound becomes contaminated during or after the flood.
Fill bathtubs, sinks and plastic soda bottles with clean water. Sanitize the sinks and tubs first by using bleach. Rinse and fill with clean water.
Bring outdoor possessions, such as lawn furniture, grills and trash cans inside or tie them down securely.
Emergency Supplies You Will Need
You should stock your home with supplies that may be needed during the emergency period. At a minimum, these supplies should include:
Several clean containers for water, large enough for a 3-5 day supply of water (about five gallons for each person).
A 3-5 day supply of non-perishable food and a non-electric can opener.
A first aid kit and manual and prescription medicines and special medical needs.
A battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.
Sleeping bags or extra blankets.
Water-purifying supplies, such as chlorine or iodine tablets or unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach.
Baby food and/or prepared formula, diapers, and other baby supplies.
Disposable cleaning cloths, such as "baby wipes" for the whole family to use in case bathing facilities are not available.
Personal hygiene supplies, such as soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, etc.
An emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
Rubber boots, sturdy shoes, and waterproof gloves.
Insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin, screens, or long-sleeved and long-legged clothing for protection from mosquitoes which may gather in pooled water remaining after the flood.
Preparing to Evacuate
Expect the need to evacuate and prepare for it. When a flood watch is issued, you should:
Fill your vehicle’s gas tank and make sure the emergency kit for your car is ready.
If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family for transportation.
Fill your clean water containers.
Review your emergency plans and supplies, checking to see if any items are missing.
Tune in the radio or television for weather updates.
Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals.
Put livestock and family pets in a safe area. Due to food and sanitation requirements, emergency shelters cannot accept animals.
Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible temperature.
If You Are Ordered to Evacuate
You should never ignore an evacuation order. Authorities will direct you to leave if you are in a low-lying area, or within the greatest potential path of the rising waters. If a flood warning is issued for your area or you are directed by authorities to evacuate the area:
Take only essential items with you.
If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
Disconnect appliances to prevent electrical shock when power is restored.
Follow the designated evacuation routes and expect heavy traffic.
Do not attempt to drive or walk across creeks or flooded roads.
If You Are Ordered NOT to Evacuate
To get through the storm in the safest possible manner:
Monitor the radio or television for weather updates.
Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor's home if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel.
Identify and throw away food that may not be safe to eat.
Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water.
Throw away food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
Throw away perishable foods (including meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit (F) for 2 hours or more.
Thawed food that contains ice crystals or is 40 degree F or below can be refrozen or cooked.
Throw away canned foods that are bulging, opened, or damaged.
Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda pop bottles), twist caps, flip tops, snap-open, and home canned foods should be discarded if they have come into contact with floodwater because they cannot be disinfected.
If cans have come in contact with floodwater or storm water, remove the labels, wash the cans, and dip them in a solution of 1 cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water. Relabel the cans with a marker. Include the expiration date.
Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula.
Store food safely.
While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
Add block ice or dry ice to your refrigerator if the electricity is expected to be off longer than 4 hours. Wear heavy gloves when handling ice.
Feeding Infants and Young Children
Breastfed infants should continue breastfeeding. For formula-fed infants, use ready-to-feed formula if possible. If using ready-to-feed formula is not possible, it is best to use bottled water to prepare powdered or concentrated formula. If bottled water is not available, use boiled water. Use treated water to prepare formula only if you do not have bottled or boiled water.
If you prepare formula with boiled water, let the formula cool sufficiently before giving it to an infant.
Clean feeding bottles and nipples with bottled, boiled, or treated water before each use.
Wash your hands before preparing formula and before feeding an infant. You can use alcohol-based hand sanitizer for washing your hands if the water supply is limited.
Clean and sanitize food-contact surfaces.
CDC recommends discarding wooden cutting boards, baby bottle nipples, and pacifiers . These items cannot be properly sanitized if they have come into contact with contaminated flood waters. Clean and sanitize food-contact surfaces in a four-step process:
Wash with soap and warm, clean water.
Rinse with clean water.
Sanitize by immersing for 1 minute in a solution of 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach (5.25%, unscented) per gallon of clean water.
Allow to air dry.
Sanitation & Hygiene
It is critical for you to remember to practice basic hygiene during the emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected:
before preparing or eating food;
after toilet use;
after participating in flood cleanup activities; and
after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.
Flood waters may contain fecal material from overflowing sewage systems, and agricultural and industrial byproducts. Although skin contact with flood water does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, there is some risk of disease from eating or drinking anything contaminated with flood water. If you have any open cuts or sores that will be exposed to flood water, keep them as clean as possible by washing well with soap to control infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention.
In addition, parents need to help children avoid waterborne illness. Do not allow children to play in flood water areas, wash children's hands frequently (always before meals), and do not allow children to play with flood-water contaminated toys that have not been disinfected. You can disinfect toys using a solution of one cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water.
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