Water rising: Smaller towns watch river, wait

Water seepage in the Hartsburg River bottom is evident and already over the road in low-lying areas near the levy. If river water tops or breaches the levy, this area could be under several feet of muddy river water. The flood of 1993 left the bottoms covered in several inches of fine sand which had to be removed before planting could resume.
Water seepage in the Hartsburg River bottom is evident and already over the road in low-lying areas near the levy. If river water tops or breaches the levy, this area could be under several feet of muddy river water. The flood of 1993 left the bottoms covered in several inches of fine sand which had to be removed before planting could resume.

For residents of Bonnots Mill and Chamois, uncertainty about possible flooding along the Missouri River keeps residents wondering what will take place in the days and weeks to come.

"No one knows what's going to happen," John Bowen said.

Bowen owns Bonnots Mill Mercantile and Johnny Mac's Bar & Grill. While he doesn't expect his shop or restaurant to flood, his home is in a different situation.

Specific projections aren't made for Bonnots Mill, so residents have to average the projected river heights between Jefferson City and Chamois. Residents are expecting the river to rise to between 27 and 35 feet, and for Bowen, that is the difference between having only a few inches or eight feet of water in his basement.

Some Chamois residents have completely moved out of their homes while others are moving photos and other important belongings to family and friends' houses.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ameren UE and the city of Chamois fire department were all present during a recent town meeting and briefed residents on procedures if flooding does happen. They told residents to have a bag packed in case of an evacuation.

Diana Bogle and other residents of Chamois check the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service website from the National Weather Service to stay up-to-date on the river levels.

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Missouri Flood Information

Corps of Engineers St. Louis District

Corps of Engineers Kansas City District

Corps of Engineers Omaha District

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