Flood of 2011: Raw Footage from the Boat Club

The Luminary's "English Disaster Reporter Guy" files this harrowing look at the surging Mighty Mo.

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Power Turned Off for Parts of Platte County

All roads west of 45 Highway from Swamp Road to the Northern Platte County Line and Woolston Road east of 45 Highway are flooded. The following roads are also closed: Stanton Road east of the railroad tracks, Woolston Road at Cogan Road and 45 Highway at Dye Store Road. KCP&L will be turning the off power West of 45 Highway in the Bean Lake area.

River levels are expected to remain at current levels throughout the weekend. A half foot drop in river levels is expected by Monday. The Army Corp of Engineers continues to have teams monitoring the Missouri River.  At this time the Missouri River has been closed to river traffic north of the Weston area. 

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office will be enforcing traffic laws related to individuals driving around road closed signs in the flood area.  Water levels across roadways have been rising quickly. People are advised to not drive through water that is across a roadway and not to be in the flood water.  Flood waters may contain sewage or other substances that could pose health hazards.

Flood Levels Increase in Park

Photo courtesy Chief Kevin Chrisman.

Rush Creek overtakes the Main Street Bridge in evacuated English Landing Park this morning.

Tribute to Fallen Weatherby Lake Soldier

"Let it Be"
By Anna Meier

I am young, very young by many people’s standards. I am at times overly suspicious, other times overly naïve, often unable to classify my thoughts in one of the two categories. What seems clear to me today is that the world we are living in is increasingly dangerous, traveling down a murky road of black and white that colors the spaces that should be shaded with gray. Close-mindedness and hate have displaced much of what should be filled with loving compassion for fellow individuals. What seems to cross creed and country is the loss of someone that has affected our lives.

Yesterday my brother showed up on our doorstep with tears on his face, squeezing out the words that his best friend, Jeremy, had been killed in action in Afghanistan. As I watched his sadness unfold and let the insensibility of the tragedy sink in, I realized that the war had finally come to Kansas City, right to my door, in fact.

Emergency Road Leads to Conflict

Tensions were high during a city info meeting today regarding temporary emergency access at Coffey Road for Highway 9 businesses and Riverchase residents.

Representatives from the City of Parkville, county officials, public safety, Special Road District, MoDOT, and public works were on hand to answer questions from community members regarding new flood estimations and the improvements to Coffey Road.

The future accessibility of the road still remains in question at this time.

Story developing...


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Latest Flooding Prediction

Parkville Considers Riverside for 4th of July

Once in jeopardy of cancellation, Parkville’s annual Fourth of July Celebration may take place in Riverside due to anticipated flood waters in English Landing and surrounding areas.

Carol Kuhns, who serves as chair of the downtown community group, Main Street Parkville Association (MSPA), told the board of aldermen on Tuesday night that Riverside has agreed to host the event which draws thousands of visitors to the town each year.

Alderman Nan McManus was the first to question the decision to hold the event outside of Parkville.

"Sales tax captured in Riverside will stay in Riverside," said McManus. "Any resulting business from thousands of people visiting Riverside, will stay in Riverside. I'm having a hard time with that."

LATEST FLOOD FORECAST

Check back here often for up to minute flood projections.

Reports of more water in the roadways and levee seepage from the Bean Lake.  The levee district is currently reinforcing the levee with sandbags. Moore’s Ferry road in southern Platte County has small amounts of water over the road way. Pumps are being used to keep the water in the ditches in order to keep the road open. 

The Missouri river gauges at Plattsmouth, Missouri and Brownsville, Missouri have gone slightly above major flood stage due to rainfall but are forecasted to gradually decrease below major flood stage over the next few days. The river gauge at Rulo, Missouri is approaching record flood stage. There was some minor flooding on the North Platte where they received 3” to 6” of rain. There were no significant impacts. At this time the Army Corp of Engineers is advising there is no change in the amount of water being released from the Gavins Point damn and that it remains at 150,000 cubic feet per second. 

More updates as they happen...

MoDOT Announces I-435 Pavement Repairs for Platte County (Expect Delays)

     The Missouri Department of Transportation will begin resurfacing I-435 between NW Cookingham Drive and I-29 beginning Wed., June 22 through the first of December, weather permitting. 
     This more than $5 million project awarded to Ideker, Inc. will provide a smoother, safer driving surface for more than five miles of I-435. Crews will begin with pavement repair nightly near NW Cookingham and work from east to west.  Once these repairs are complete, the moving operation to resurface the driving lanes will begin.  This will require both day and night work, requiring lane closures and restrictions.  
     Motorists should expect delays while driving along this section of I-435.  No work will be done over Independence Day Weekend from July 1 through July 5, or Labor Day Weekend from September 2 through September 6 to help minimize congestion through the area.

Farley-Beverly Flood Prep Begins

Sandbag efforts began this morning at the Farley Levee District, located about 20 minutes north of Parkville, spanning areas from Beverly through Leavenworth.The town is bracing for possible flooding due to releases upstream and rainfall over the weekend in the Missouri Basin which have caused additional rise in the Missouri River.

Park Hill Reconsiders Tax-Levy Hike

According to a Park Hill school board member, the district will likely not pursue a proposed $0.02 to $0.04 tax levy increase to cover an estimated $520,000 budget shortfall.

The suggestion of a tax-rate hike drew criticism from community members who were promised a $49 million “no-tax increase” bond ballot measure during the April 5 election.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Technology, Dr. Paul Kelly is expected to provide board members with options to close the budget gap prior to the June 23 meeting.

The board is scheduled to vote on a budget for the 2011-2012 school year next week.

Volume 9, Episode 43

Top Stories:
Officials Make a Point in Parkville
Trapped in English Landing
Weatherby Lake Loses One of Their Own
Hottovy's Long Wait is Over
Strait to Jail

Plus:
The Luminariette on Community
a Photo Essay by Mylissa Russell

...and
Mark Vasto is Lost in the Flood

All that plus a helping of Wondermark, Suduko, the King Crossword, Twitter Ticker and Jack Nicklaus, coming at you in newsracks throughout the greater Parkville area.

Weatherby Lake Loses One Of Their Own

Staff Sergeant Jeremy A. Katzenberger died on Tuesday from wounds suffered during an insurgent attack while serving in Paktika province, Afghanistan.

A Weatherby Lake resident and graduate of Park Hill, Katzenberger was 26.

First enlisting in 2004, Katzenberger currently served as a squad leader assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia.

His survivors include wife Coleen and infant son Everett James, and parents Robert and Peggy.

Coffey Road/Riverchase Dr. Update:

A report from Parkville spokesperson Gia McFarlane:

In preparation for the potential of high flow elevations, the city continues to work toward agreements necessary to improve and use Coffey Road for emergency and public access to Riverchase subdivision, businesses between Coffey Road and Riverchase Drive, Hunt Martin Materials and residents on Ward Road. Necessary agreements between the city and university have been drafted and are under review. Access through Park University, the 6th Street bridge and other improvements are also being discussed.

A preliminary agreement between the city and university allowed the city to access and prepare Coffey Road so vegetation could be cleared in case of an emergency and required potential public access.

Two Feet High and Rising

From the Sheriff's Department:

"The rain that is expected this week in the Mississippi Basin and the Missouri Basin will cause some additional rise in the Missouri River through the weekend and into Monday.  A two to two and a half foot rise at Kansas City is expected by Monday."

According to those numbers and the latest forecasts by the National Weather Service (as seen on our up to the minute website widget to the right), that would bring our levels to just over 27 feet. The "action stage" is 29 feet, we're officially flooded at 32. Current forecasts have us hitting near 29 on June 23. (See chart above.)

"The Army Corp of Engineers has personnel monitoring the Missouri River from Kansas City to Buchanan County.  Currently seepage is being observed in the Bean Lake area on Woolston Road, south of River Road.   The Platte County Sheriff’s Office is in communication with the Missouri Department of Transportation regarding Platte County highways that could potentially be impacted by flood water.

"Sandbag operations for the Farley Levee District will begin on Monday.  Sandbags will be placed on the levee from Beverly to Leavenworth.  Additional information for individuals wishing to volunteer their assistance with the sandbagging will be available later this week."

As always, stay tuned to this page and our twitter feed at twitter.com/PvilleLuminary. 

Corps Releases New Flood Information

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released updated information on the Parkville flood situation today. The release of water from Gavin's Point Dam of 150,000 cfs is expected to arrive in Parkville sometime next week. Current estimates of peak water level are already at 29.5 ft. Previous flooding in English Landing Park has occurred at 28 ft.

Parkville spokesperson Gia McFarlane said the unpredictability of upstream levees and weather conditions has caused daily variations regarding flood updates.

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BNSF to Reinstall Crossing Signals

BNSF, formerly known as Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railway, is reinstalling active warning signals at several locations, including Main Street in Parkville. The signs were removed last week due to damage concerns from the impending flood waters. Director of Public Affairs, Andy Williams confirmed to The Luminary this morning that due to "safety concerns", the company is currently installing the crossing signals, but cautioned that they may be removed at any point. Several community members have questioned whether or not this indicates the flood may only reach minimum estimates.

Last Call at the Legion

A sign posted at the American Legion as volunteers assist with evacuation preparations.

Latest on Platte County Homicide

From the Sheriff's office:

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office has identified the body of the young female located at the Platte Falls Conservation Area on June 1st. The victim has been positively identified through lab tests as Alissa Faye Shippert of Platte City. Alissa grew up in the Weston area and was a graduate of West Platte High School. Alissa was 22 years old and had worked at a local convenience store for more than 5 years at the time of her death. The family has been notified of the confirmed identification. 

The investigation into the tragic death of Alissa continues. The Platte County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to call the Tips Hotline at (816)474-TIPS. A reward is being offered through the TIPS program.

This was a difficult case for local media. For all intents and purposes, the media would not have likely learned about this that day unless the Sheriff issued a press release (which they did) unless they were listening to the police scanners in a dedicated manner that day. Those that were, however, did alert local media and the grapevine in Northern Platte County started to hum with information including the victim's name.

Most reputable news outlets knew from experience that the case was a likely homicide given the Sheriff's language in the press release. Respect for the uninformed victim's family and waiting for a coroner's cause of death is typically paramount, a far more important and noble set of agreed upon rules. In this case, the Sheriff gave out as much information as he probably thought was useful to aid in his investigation.

Congressman Graves Tours Flood Zone

Congressman Sam Graves provided a flood update and answered questions from a group of concerned citizens today at the Parkville American Legion before touring the sandbagging effort by volunteers.

Acknowledging that this is a "frustrating process," Graves told the crowd that he planned to meet with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers later in the day and pledged to provide assistance to Missouri riverfront towns.

Platte County Presiding Commissioner Jason Brown also attended the meeting and encouraged business owners and residents to formulate an evacuation plan.

"Depending on what the Corps does or doesn't do, water could be here for an extended amount of time. Government can't do everything for everybody," Brown said.

Story in The Luminary this week...

Park Hill School Board Approves Pay Increases

By Rachel Atwood

A decision by the Park Hill Board of Education to approve a salary increase for teachers, custodians, administrators and assistant superintendents generated debate between Superintendent Dr. Dennis Fisher, board members, and a local citizen on Thursday.

Community resident, Larry Womack, set the tone for the school board meeting as the first to voice his objection to pay raises. Womack pointed to the slow economy and said, “I wouldn’t want to be on the board and vote for that.”

“We have to be realistic about what’s going on. It’s not about deserving a raise, it’s about reality.” Womack told the board.

Todd Fane, who was elected to the school board last year, also expressed concern that approving the raises would force the district to pass a proposed $0.02 to $0.04 tax levy increase to cover an estimated $520,000 shortfall―despite the “no-tax increase” bond ballot measure promised to voters during the April 5 election.

“I think the timing is off,” said Fane.

Caution Advised at Railroad Crossings

Platte County Emergency Management warns the community to take caution at railroad crossings after receiving notification from Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad that several active warning signals have been removed from crossings located near the Missouri River to protect them from flood damage.

Locations without warnings signs include: Stanton Road, County Road 103, County Road 13, Main Street (Iatan), Hwy 45 Spur, Kisker Road, Main Street (Parkville), East Street, Conoco (Private Industrial), Intercon Drive (Private Industrial), Mattox, Van De Populier, and Zeke Road (Private Industrial).

Parkville Installs Flood Defense

A four foot high portable dam, called Portadam, has been supplied by the Army Corps of Engineers to divert flood waters away from downtown.

Rachel Atwood / Luminary Photograph

Downtown Flood Plan Map

Inundation map showing the flood plan for Downtown Parkville including sandbagging locations (shown in red) and the temporary dike project (green).

Volunteers Respond to Call

Volunteers wait in line to check-in at the American Legion Post 318 before assisting with sandbagging effort.

Rachel Atwood / Luminary Photograph

Volunteer Sandbagging Efforts Begin

A Platte County Health Department worker gives a volunteer a tetanus shot at the Parkville Farmer's Market.

Rachel Atwood / Luminary Photograph

Downtown Evacuations Begin

The Parkville Fire Department has removed all equipment from the lower levels, in preparation of relocating to their 45 Highway station due to imminent flooding concerns. A crew will remain in place at the downtown department until the city erects temporary dams which are scheduled to go up in the next few days.

Proprietors in the English Landing shopping area have also begun to make evacuation efforts following a meeting of business owners, residents, and city officials yesterday that drew a crowd of nearly one hundred community members.

At the meeting, Chief of Police Kevin Chrisman answered questions from concerned business owners who asked whether or not they should close their doors. Chrisman was cautious to advise merchants when to pack up, “You should use your own discretion on when to move your items,” he said.

Mark Bentley, who owns Bentley Guitar Studios located in English Landing, plans to stay in his location until after the initial flood waters arrive on Sunday which are expected to reach 752 elevation at minimum. Bentley told The Luminary that he will relocate if floodwaters are likely to block the English Landing entrance.

City Calls on "Able Volunteers" for Sand Bagging

The City of Parkville is requesting assistance from able volunteers capable of assisting with sand bagging efforts in downtown Parkville. Sand bagging efforts will begin at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, June 7th and will continue until efforts are completed. This effort is expected to continue at least through the evening. Volunteers must check in at the Parkville Farmer’s Market, located east of East Street, south of the railroad tracks in downtown Parkville.

Parking and access will be limited. Until full, volunteers may park in the Farmer’s Market Parking lot and surrounding area. The City requests volunteers carpool if possible.

Volunteers must be 16 years old or older and must bring a photo ID. Volunteers are advised to bring gloves, work boots, hat, sunscreen and bug spray for their personal use. The City is preparing to have water on hand, but volunteers are advised to bring food and drinks for their personal use just in case.

The Platte County Health Department will be providing free tetanus shots for volunteers who need one.

DOWNTOWN BRACING FOR FLOOD

Police Chief Kevin Chrisman briefed concerned Parkville merchants and residents Monday morning.
Frank Hamilton / Luminary Photograph

Impending downtown flooding concerns caused an emergency meeting of the Main Street Parkville Association this morning which drew about one hundred concerned business owners, city leaders, regional officials and community members.

Chief of Police Kevin Crisman addressed the crowd, “We need to plan for what we know.”

Current figures by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimate the minimum flooding Parkville can expect is at 752 elevation which will encompass English Landing Park, the Farmer’s Market and parking lots located south of the railroad tracks on June 12.

City Declares Emergency Disaster Situation

Due to an imminent threat of flooding, an emergency meeting of the Parkville Board of Aldermen was called on Saturday afternoon and resulted in a declaration of an “Emergency Disaster Situation.”

New information released by the Army Corps of Engineers reveal the potential for more extensive flooding than originally expected through inundation maps which were made public on late Friday evening.

“You know you're in bad news when the name of the map is inundation,” said Mayor Gerry Richardson.

The problem has originated from upstream reservoirs on the Missouri River which have swelled due to record rains and unmelted snow. The mayor informed members of the board that the peak release of South Dakota’s Gavins Point Dam will occur on June 15. Chief of Police, Kevin Chrisman said Parkville should anticipate a big mass of water just three days later.

A two phase plan was presented by the city which includes lower and upper level stages. Phase 1, which includes several storage areas located south of the railroad tracks on Main Street, is “absolutely” going to flood, said Public Works Director, Kirk Rome. Officials have cautioned tenants of storage areas in the lower area to evacuate immediately

A database of property owners who may be affected is currently being developed by the city and Economic Development Director, Jenni Glass is coordinating relocation possibilities for businesses.

Carol Kuhns, who chairs the downtown community group, Main Street Parkville Association, is looking at the possibility of canceling contracts with vendors for all summer festivals including River Jam and the 4th of July Celebration.

County emergency workers are warning that the elevated flood levels may carry over through September which also puts Parkville Days in jeopardy.

Story developing...

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Touched by a Stranger

By Catherine Bleish

Since 2007 I have traveled from coast to coast, border to border in this amazing union and I have watched as our routes of travel inch nearer and nearer to that of a police state. Check points on the road, border patrol on trains, and now Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in airports. Many attempt to justify these measures claiming they stop or curb terrorism, but I disagree, in fact, I think this behavior is in it of itself an act of terrorism. Bold statement, I know, but lets take a quick look in our handy dandy dictionary before reacting, "Terrorism; systematic use of violence and intimidation to achieve some goal.”

Volume 9, Episode 41

Top Stories:
Park Hill Tax Increase on Table
Parkville Flood is "Very Likely"
FEMA Raises Walnut Creek Flood Plain Designation
Police Probe Platte City Homicide

Plus:
YMCA Aims For Guinness Book of World Records
Discount Tickets for Platte County Fair
Mark Vasto's "Gone in 60 Seconds"

Featuring:
For The Record: Catherine Bleish "Touched by a Stranger"

All that plus Wondermark, Suduko, the King Crossword, Twitter Ticker
and Jack Nicklaus, flooding newsracks throughout the greater Parkville area.

Riverside Officer Jeff Taylor Passes Away

Riverside officer, Jeff Taylor passed away this morning after sustaining injuries due to lightening strike while assisting rescue efforts in Joplin, Missouri following the May 23 tornado.

Taylor was part of a 12-member team of officers police officers, firefighters and public works staff members who responded to the disaster.

According to the Riverside Police department, Taylor was the first officer to die in the line of duty and the first emergency response worker to pass away due to the Joplin tornado. He was 31 years old.

“We are heartbroken,” Chief Mills said. “Our department, our community and law enforcement as a whole have lost a dedicated professional doing what he did best – helping those who were in need. The fragility of life gives way to the enduring spirit Jeff showed to us all. Our department will never be the same.”

Platte County Homicide Investigation

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of a white female whose body was discovered earlier this afternoon at the Platte Falls Conservation Area outside of Platte City, Missouri. The body of the adult female was discovered at approximately 1:37pm by a man who was fishing in the conservation area. The name of the victim is being withheld until the victim can be positively identified and notification made. The manner of death is also being withheld at this time. Sheriff’s investigators are speaking with a person of interest in the case. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.