St. Joe Flood Zones (Springfield, St. Joseph: real estate, houses, neighborhoods)

[carlym]

St. Joe had a big flood in 1993, I believe it was, and I'd like to check out the flood zones for the area (without spending a ton of time). Anyone know a site easy to use that could help me or you may have info of your own. I'm looking to be in the area either north of frederick or south and if south probably east of 22nd st. Thanks

[northbayeric]

Sorry for the late reply to you, and hopefully you'll receive additional feedback from others to your question. I'm not 100 percent sure, but I think it's a pretty safe bet that unless you're close to the Missouri River, your chances of having your house flood in St. Joseph is slight. The river's normal elevation is about 820 feet there, and the topography of the city is fairly hilly for the most part, with the highest point about 1,050 feet. I think you would have to be at the bottom of a hill for there to be any chance of complications from heavy rainfall. 22nd Street is pretty far inland from the Missouri River.

Once you get over to the Kansas side of the river, the terrain is decidedly more flat than in St. Joe. To summarize, I think you're going to be fine, though the town got hit hard in December from a severe ice storm that broke a lot of tree limbs and knocked out electrical power to many of its residents.

[MoNative34]

I think most of the flooding problems occur across the river in Elwood. 93 was a MAJOR flood and I think the Missouri side had problems then, but 93 was the exception, not the rule. If you're looking east of 22nd, flooding is not a problem.

Good info, Eric.

[carlym]

My St. Joe daughter was without electric, which meant no lights, heat, hot water or cooking for five days during that dec. storm. Talked to her last night and it was 1 degree outside. That's right..1 degree. I think we better have a plan when we move there. I told her I would set up a warm room in the kitchen that included a bed! Think we better find out what a generator is?

I see houses on real estate sites that mention a sump pump and that made me wonder about the flooding. Have a nice day.

[carlym]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

I think most of the flooding problems occur across the river in Elwood. 93 was a MAJOR flood and I think the Missouri side had problems then, but 93 was the exception, not the rule. If you're looking east of 22nd, flooding is not a problem.

Good info, Eric.

I know, I know, but considering the houses that are talking to me..I'm gonna end up in one of the old ones west of 22 either north or south of Frederick. Always been a glutten for punishment.

[GraniteStater]

Most of the old buisness district is right along the Missouri River. Just look for neighborhoods that are in the more hilly areas and you should have no problem. The floodplain area is near the Doniphan County Kansas line right near where the Saint Joseph Rosecrans Airport is. The airport should be the only development in that floodplain zone anyway.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by carlym

I see houses on real estate sites that mention a sump pump and that made me wonder about the flooding.

Sump pumps are becoming more of an expected inclusion in homes as a safety measure, not just for ones that are necessarily at a flood risk.

[northbayeric]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

I think most of the flooding problems occur across the river in Elwood. 93 was a MAJOR flood and I think the Missouri side had problems then, but 93 was the exception, not the rule. If you're looking east of 22nd, flooding is not a problem.

Good info, Eric.

Thanks, MoNative--you too! Hopefully this info will put the OP at ease. I might just add that St. Joe's average annual precipitation is somewhat less than, for instance, Springfield and Cape Girardeau. About 36 inches or so a year. The Cape gets closer to 50 inches.

[carlym]

Thanks folks..I guess if those old houses west of 22nd are still standing..they just might last as long as I do. I love old houses of a certain style. Lived in many small towns and rural areas growing up and can still remember my favorite house in everyone of them. My daughter recently told me when she was attending Missouri Western College in St. Joe she would leave early enough that she could drop off the main road and dip thru the Historic part of town most every morning just to look at the old houses. Guess she's got the "bug" too.

[mjb62676]

Unless you're in the South End, or right down by the river (kinda hard to do on the MO side), you shouldn't have any major problems. There are some areas throughout town that might be flash-flood considerations, but nothing like the floods Elwood gets (it's actually IN the flood plain). The '93 flood was horrible....and I helped to sandbag in Wathena. I watched that water rise very, very quickly after the levees "broke".

If you are East of 22nd Street, the nearest real flood threat I can think of is further east of there along the river out by Riverside Drive. (Near the Hospital)