Flooding closes U.S. 71 in Bates County south of Kansas City

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- U.S. 71 is closed because of flood waters in Bates County about 75 miles south of Kansas City.

The Missouri Department of Transportation said Tuesday the flooding shut down a stretch of the four-lane highway from just north of Rich Hill to the Vernon County line.

A detour is available via Missouri 52 and 13 and U.S. 54.

Bates and Vernon counties are on the border and have been hit by runoff from Kansas flooding that has swollen several rivers more than 10 feet over flood stage.

About a dozen smaller county and state routes were also closed by high water in the two mainly rural counties.

At least six homes were destroyed and three more evacuated due to flooding in Bates County since Sunday.

On the Net:

National Weather Service in Springfield flood predictions and river data: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfosgf

Missouri Department of Transportation flood conditions: http://www.modot.mo.gov/floodrpt/rc0017cw