Residents of flooded town allowed back in

MOUND CITY, Mo. -- Residents of flooded Big Lake Village were allowed back in on Wednesday for the first time since rising water forced them from their homes more than a week ago.

There were some restrictions, like a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew that will last indefinitely. Also, residents will be allowed to only walk to their property until the Missouri Department of Transportation says they can use boats or cars.

A boil order remains in effect through the end of the month because there was a break in the main water line. At a meeting on Tuesday in Mound City, village clerk Diane Phillips recommended residents use bottled water from relief agencies.

Bob Malick, who has lived in the village for 21 years, has not been home since he fled May 7. However, he said he got encouraging news from checking a real estate Web site.

"I got to see my house survived high and dry," Malick said. "The water surrounded the house but stayed out."