LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — The Lake of the Ozarks has been under flood, tornado, thunderstorm, severe weather warnings over the past few weeks. Major flooding brought a decree from Governor Jay Nixon issuing a No-Wake restriction on the entire Lake of the Ozarks during the biggest tourism week of the year, the Fourth of July, in an effort to alleviate flooding damage to Lake of the Ozark properties. In June, Governor Nixon declared the entire state of Missouri to be in a State of Emergency due to the heavy rains and flooding across the state.
But nature is unaffected by human edicts, and another round of storms rolled through the area a week later. Road, bridges, homes and businesses have suffered flood damage.
The Rocky Mount Fire Protection District rescued a woman who was buried under dirt and debris after the roof on her earth-contact home collapsed. After removing the dirt with shovels rescuers were able to use a jack to lift the roof and debris and bring her to safety.
ROCKY MOUNT, Mo. — Floodwaters last week wreaked havoc on local homes and businesses, and le…
As homeowners and businesses recover from the floodwaters, Camden, Miller and Morgan county Emergency Management Directors are assessing the damage to infrastructure. Directors report basically every low-water crossing in their counties was flooded roads during the high-rain events. There were reports of bridges collapsing, roads washing away and dangerous roads conditions.
Here’s a look at some of the damage county officials have begun to assess throughout the region:
Morgan County
Morgan County Emergency Management Director Rick Bias reported on Wednesday, July 8 that many low water crossings in Morgan County still had water over the roads.
Morgan County lost an entire bridge on Seals Road in June that has yet to be replaced, at a cost of $38,000.
Each of the counties are conducting cost assessments to submit to SEMA and FEMA with hopes their county will be declared a disaster area, and they can receive state and federal aid to assist in the cost of re-building.
According to Bias, all the entities in Morgan County, Morgan County Road and Bridge, the Gravois Special Road District, the Gravois Arm Sewer District, and the cities of Barnett and Versailles were affected and together they have assessed approximately $307,000 in damages, and they are not done counting. “We will probably add another $80,000 before it’s over with,” Bias said.
Bias is charged with collecting damage data and passing it onto the state. A meeting is scheduled at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 10 with each of the entities and SEMA and FEMA with hopes they will get a disaster declaration from the state. “We have met the threshold and we will submit it to the governor, who will in turn submit our case to the president,” Bias said. “Barnett does not have the money to fix their problems. They have to rely on the state.” If funds are granted, Bias will be the depository and will distribute the funds.
“People get restless and still want to cross low water crossing. It is very dangerous. It is best to turn around and find a different route,” Bias warned. “You don’t know what has been eroded under the bridge, and you put not only yourself and your passengers in danger, but you are also placing the emergency responders who have to rescue you in danger,” Bias said. There have been multiple 911 calls concerning persons who chose to traverse a low water crossing and who became compromised, but fortunately, each time they were able to self-rescue.
“When in doubt don’t do it, if you see water across a low water bridge I don’t care how brave you are, save your ego, don’t cross it and get sent downstream.”
He added, “We have been posting information on the Morgan County Emergency Management Facebook page to get emergency information to the public.” This is also where he posted the governor’s No-Wake decree. Morgan County has the second highest amount of Lake of the Ozarks shoreline, behind Camden County.
Camden County
Camden County is reporting six homes damaged by flood waters, and Camden County Emergency Management Director Ron Gentry expects there are several more. “The Red Cross has stepped in and helped some of our families,” Gentry said.
Gentry did not have damage cost estimates at press time but he too is hoping to receive disaster funds to recoup costs. He said, “I have been in contact with Osage Beach and the city of Camdenton to add their costs as well… This is the worst it’s been in 15 years.”
Miller County
Miller County Emergency Management Director Ronald Biggers reports his county has experienced a tremendous amount of road and bridge damage. “We have approximately $100,000 in damages to our roads and bridges, including debris clean-up and downed trees,” Biggers said. Biggers also reported that some homes in the county suffered flood damage. “Thankfully we have had no deaths caused by the flood.”
Looking forward, each of the counties have plenty of rock and culverts on hand to repair roads to keep them passable. He noted, “It is difficult to plan when you don’t know for sure what is coming.”
Mid County Fire
Mid County Fire Protection District and Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District became stranded due to floodwaters as they assisted the Northwest Fire Protection District with a structure fire. Fire trucks went in as mutual aid and while they were fighting the fire, the floodwaters rose and blocked a road and they couldn’t get back out. Firefighters had to stay at the fire location until the waters receded, a couple of hours later.
While they were trapped, the district responded to two vehicles caught in floodwaters but were cancelled prior to arrival due to self-rescue.
The district also rescued 10 people out of their home at the end of Cottage Road off State Route D Road just past Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The district deployed a swift water rescue boat and rescued the homeowners and their guests to high ground until the water receded. The homeowner’s road was blocked and water was three feet into their home. SWFPD Fire Chief Scot Frandsen said the district will continue to monitor and evaluate low water crossings.
Sunrise Beach Fire
Sunrise Fire Protection District Fire Chief Jeremy Criner said the fire district has faced issues with water levels covering docks, boat ramps and electric shut off boxes. Firefighters have been working diligently to assess docks in their district to determine if there are any life-threatening issues.
Criner warned citizens to keep aware of weather forecasts and be prepared for the worst. “We hope people will use good common sense. Even if your dock is safe, your neighbor’s dock might not be. If the Lake rises, use caution with live electrical issues in the water.”
Gravois Fire
Gravois Fire Protection District Fire Chief Ed Hancock said his crews have been busy conducting field surveys of low water crossings and docks. “Flooding has had a dramatic impact on homeowners in our district. I am amazed we didn’t have more emergency calls,” Chief Hancock said.
“The ground is already saturated and with the coming rain it will have to go into the creeks and lakes. It will depend on how fast it comes but the road beds will be washed out and ditches and shoulders will be weak. Drivers will have to be more diligent not to drive off into a hole that wasn’t there a week ago,” Chief Hancock said. “The tree root systems are also already compromised, so with a good wind we could see an increase in uprooted trees as well.”
