CITY SHOULD PUSH AHEAD WITH DETENTION BASIN FOR FLOOD PROTECTION

Last week's flash flooding provided a stark reminder of what could have been without the Cape LaCroix Creek flood control project.

On May 31, about 4 inches of rain fell in just a few hours, and fast-rising waters overflowed drainage ditches and creeks. The Cape LaCroix Creek and Walker Branch drainage channels along Kingshighway were filled to the brim late that night.

Much of the flooding in the city was centered near Arena Park. Floodwaters also covered part of the parking lot of the new Osage Centre.

Unfortunately, construction of the flood-control basin that was part of the $48 million Army Corps of Engineers flood-control project has been delayed by legal problems. Had the basin been built, it would have no doubt alleviated much of the flood problems the city experienced.

The city needs to push, and push hard, to move this project along. Securing the land needs to placed on the front burner of city priorities.

The 4-inch rain was a telling reminder of the danger of flash flooding. But the deadly rain in May of 1986 that precipitated the flood control project was much more severe. Ten inches of rain fell in Cape Girardeau County late on May 15. The Cape Girardeau Regional Airport reported 6.64 inches of rain.

Fast-rising floodwaters filled the Town Plaza and south areas of the city, resulting in two deaths and millions of dollars in damage.

Without the detention basin, that kind of rainfall could still wreck havoc in the city of Cape Girardeau.