Neighbors, infrastructure help fight flood

As floodwaters slowly begin to recede, we again see how local investments in flood protection have shown their worth.

Though the Mississippi River crested at a record 48.86 feet Friday night, beating the 1993 record of 48.49 feet, downtown Cape Girardeau was protected by its 51-year-old floodwall.

About 30 homes and businesses in Cape Girardeau were affected by flooding; in the past that number would have been much higher.

Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management director Dick Knaup said area infrastructure improvements helped keep the number of displaced residents low, citing buyout programs in the Red Star district and Dutchtown as part of the reason the area was better prepared for this round of flooding than it was in 1993.

Those who are returning to flooded buildings should take a few moments and follow these tips provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

• Check for structural damage before re-entering your home, and contact professionals immediately if you suspect damage to water, gas, electric or sewer lines.
• Throw away food that has come into contact with flood water.
• Boil water until authorities declare the water supply safe.

Other helpful resources are available at ready.gov/floods, facebook.com/MoFloodInfo and modot.org, according to FEMA.

It would be impossible to list each individual who has helped fight the inundation. But the area owes a great debt of gratitude to all first responders, public works employees, Red Cross and other volunteers at the shelters for both people and animals, volunteers filling up to 22,000 sandbags provided by emergency services and those who have helped in other, quieter ways.

Thank you for looking out for your community.