Intense flooding causes damage throughout the county
Flooding at the Hwy. 248 bridge closed the road down temporarily when Flat Creek flooded significantly, making the road impassable to traffic. Submitted photo.
July 8, 2015
Charlea Mills
Heavy amounts of rainfall all over Barry County and surrounding areas caused intense flooding that posed a danger for citizens.
Reports from around the county estimate the rain total for Tuesday at around six inches. By Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service had announced flash flood warnings for the county that lasted most of the day. By Tuesday afternoon, the Missouri Department of Transportation had issued a statement that more heavy rain was forecasted for Tuesday night and that many roads would probably flood again by the morning.
Flood waters caused many roads and bridges all over the county to be impassable by traffic, and there were reports of vehicles being swept off of the roadways when drivers attempted to pass through rushing waters. The Barry County Sheriff’s Department announced just before noon that Cassville was closed and advised people not to come to the city via their Facebook page.
As streets reopened, The Sheriff’s Department continued to update citizens and even issued requests. One Facebook post asked drivers to stay home unless completely necessary because people looking at the flood waters were obstructing law enforcement and responders helping people stuck from the flood.
In Cassville, rising water rushed over bridges, roadways and caused many businesses to close. Emergency workers were out rescuing people, including the Sheriff’s Department using their Hummer to pass through treacherous areas.
MoDOT issued the following advice regarding flooded roadways:
• Never drive through moving or standing water.
• Looks can be deceiving. With rapidly moving water in a flash flood, roads can be washed away just under the surface of the moving water.
• It also takes just a small amount of water to wash a vehicle off a road into a creek.
• Never drive around barricades.
• Monitor forecasts and check road conditions frequently.
Charlea Mills
Heavy amounts of rainfall all over Barry County and surrounding areas caused intense flooding that posed a danger for citizens.
Reports from around the county estimate the rain total for Tuesday at around six inches. By Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service had announced flash flood warnings for the county that lasted most of the day. By Tuesday afternoon, the Missouri Department of Transportation had issued a statement that more heavy rain was forecasted for Tuesday night and that many roads would probably flood again by the morning.
Flood waters caused many roads and bridges all over the county to be impassable by traffic, and there were reports of vehicles being swept off of the roadways when drivers attempted to pass through rushing waters. The Barry County Sheriff’s Department announced just before noon that Cassville was closed and advised people not to come to the city via their Facebook page.
As streets reopened, The Sheriff’s Department continued to update citizens and even issued requests. One Facebook post asked drivers to stay home unless completely necessary because people looking at the flood waters were obstructing law enforcement and responders helping people stuck from the flood.
In Cassville, rising water rushed over bridges, roadways and caused many businesses to close. Emergency workers were out rescuing people, including the Sheriff’s Department using their Hummer to pass through treacherous areas.
MoDOT issued the following advice regarding flooded roadways:
• Never drive through moving or standing water.
• Looks can be deceiving. With rapidly moving water in a flash flood, roads can be washed away just under the surface of the moving water.
• It also takes just a small amount of water to wash a vehicle off a road into a creek.
• Never drive around barricades.
• Monitor forecasts and check road conditions frequently.