Missouri River flooding: will we see another 1993 this year? (Kansas City: calculation, living)

[lifelongMOgal]

Flood warning for town after levee fails - Weather - msnbc.com

[MoNative34]

Interstate 29 closed in Atchison County, Mo.

I-29 to close near Hamburg - Local News Story - St. Joseph (http://www.newspressnow.com/localnews/28220896/detail.html - broken link)

[mhs2012]

To think what would happen if all of Chesterfield Valley were to flood again, like it did in '93 before it was all developed. It could kill Chesterfield and really damage West County of St. Louis, but of course, there's more at stake across the state than just that part of St. Louis.

[aragx6]

^Although it's certainly true that C Valley isn't the only place that would be devastated by '93-like flooding, I'll admit it's definitely the area I've been thinking of the most in all of this. No where else in the flood plain has seen such incredible growth in the last 20 years. New Town as well -- good grief.

[MoNative34]

The Chesterfield Levee is 7 feet taller than it was in 1993. I guess this will be the test.

[aragx6]

^ I could probably figure this out on my own, but I'm feeling lazy: So the current levee is 7 feet higher than it was in '93, but how much higher would it have needed to be to not break? Anyone know?

[MoNative34]

Originally Posted by aragx6

^ I could probably figure this out on my own, but I'm feeling lazy: So the current levee is 7 feet higher than it was in '93, but how much higher would it have needed to be to not break? Anyone know?

If I remember correctly, the water level didn't get above the levee. It breached just west of Spirit.

There's a lot more at stake now. That's for sure.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

If I remember correctly, the water level didn't get above the levee. It breached just west of Spirit.

There's a lot more at stake now. That's for sure.

You know, I definitely knew that. My father worked out at the St. Louis County jail at Gumbo (now closed) and had to work straight to get all the prisoners moved safely out before it was flooded.

Memories from that time are like vignettes for me given I was only 8. I remember little hoosier children playing in the water at the St. Charles riverfront and my mother telling me it was full of raw sewage. I remember helping to sand bag somewhere, but I can't even remember where. I remember going up in the arch and seeing water go on for just like forever. And I remember the year after how many transfers we had to my school from areas that had been flooded out and folks had chosen not to return.

So much of my life ties into my relationship with those two massive rivers!

[lifelongMOgal]

Over on the South Dakota forum there is a video of I-29 completely submurged near Council Bluffs/Omaha right at Eppely Airfield. Won't be much longer before it makes it down river. Gavin's Point Dam (Yankton SD) opened its spillway to 160,000 cfm's today.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by aragx6

You know, I definitely knew that. My father worked out at the St. Louis County jail at Gumbo (now closed) and had to work straight to get all the prisoners moved safely out before it was flooded.

Memories from that time are like vignettes for me given I was only 8. I remember little hoosier children playing in the water at the St. Charles riverfront and my mother telling me it was full of raw sewage. I remember helping to sand bag somewhere, but I can't even remember where. I remember going up in the arch and seeing water go on for just like forever. And I remember the year after how many transfers we had to my school from areas that had been flooded out and folks had chosen not to return.

So much of my life ties into my relationship with those two massive rivers!

I have always thought that same thing!