FLOOD WARNING TO GO INTO EFFECT THIS EVENING, BLACK RIVER AT POPLAR BLUFF FORECAST TO REACH MODERATE FLOOD STAGE
Incoming heavy rains are raising concerns for flooding in Poplar Bluff.
According to the National Weather Service, a flood warning will go into effect this evening due to widespread heavy rainfall.
Officials say that rainfall totals of over three inches with isolated higher amounts will cause significant rises on the Black River.
In Poplar Bluff, the Black River is currently forecast to crest at around 20 feet Sunday morning, four feet above the minor flood stage, and one foot above the moderate flood stage.
The major flood stage is 21 feet.
Andrew Jefferson from the United States Corps of Engineers is urging residents to monitor low lying areas that are prone to flooding and beware of flash flooding. If water is over the roadway, do not try to drive through it.
SIGNIFICANT RISE EXPECTED FOR BLACK RIVER AT POPLAR BLUFF, TEMPORARY LEVEE BEING CONSTRUCTED
Poplar Bluff authorities are taking proactive measures due to heavy rainfall and possible flooding in the area.
According to Poplar Bluff Street Superintendent Jerry Lawson, temporary levees are being constructed along the Black River in Poplar Bluff, to protect homes and businesses.
Lawson says that at 18.5 feet, water will start to back up near Wilson and Ashcroft Street. At 19 feet, water will start entering the parking lot of the Poplar Bluff UPS Depot.
Lawson says the temporary levees are a precautionary measure at this time and if the flooding develops as predicted, a temporary levee will be in place on Wilson and Ashcroft.
Flood waters are currently forecast to reach around 20 feet, two feet below the Poplar Bluff record of 22.15 feet, which was set in March of 2008. The second highest crest was recorded in May of 2017 at 21.96 feet.
LADY RAIDERS UNABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON HOT START, FALL TO GULF COAST IN OPENING ROUND OF NJCAA TOURNAMENT
Three Rivers College was unable to capitalize on a hot start to their opening round NJCAA Tournament game.
The 22 seed Lady Raiders started the game on a 7-0 run, but gave up a 14-0 run in the second quarter before eventually falling to the 11 seed Gulf Coast State College Lady Commodores 71-47.
Three Rivers ends their season with a 22-6 record.
POPLAR BLUFF PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AWARDED OVER $250,000 GRANT
A Poplar Bluff city department will be receiving over a quarter of a million dollars in grant money.
According to Governor Mike Parson, the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded $250,120 dollars through the Community Revitalization Grant Program.
Lanny Corcimiglia, director of Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation, tells KWOC News that the grant money is a 50/50 match and will be used to construct additional athletic fields on six acres of land between Whiteley Park and Cheshire Boulevard, along with purchasing equipment.
BRIDGE CONNECTING MISSOURI AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
A bridge that connects Southeast Missouri to Southern Illinois is being closed until further notice.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the US 60/62 bridge over the Mississippi River is being closed to all traffic.
Critical issues were discovered during the routine inspection that started on March 13th.
Officials say that the bridge will remain closed until a plan can be developed and implemented. A message board will be in place to direct traffic.
CEREMONY TO BE HELD TODAY IN POPLAR BLUFF TO RECOGNIZE VIETNAM VETERANS
A ceremony will be held today in Poplar Bluff to recognize veterans of the Vietnam War.
According to Larry Kimbrow with the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #1056, the ceremony will begin today at 11 am at the Plaster Free Enterprise Center on the Poplar Bluff Campus of Three Rivers College. The event is free for everyone to attend.
There will be live patriotic music and a bell ringing ceremony for all of the Vietnam Veterans who were lost in the war.
Two Veterans from the area will be recognized for their valor during the Vietnam War, Colonel James Metz, from the United States Air Force, and Ricardo Rios, who served as a medic in the United States Army.
There will also be a POW/MIA ceremony along with guest speaker Retired US Army Colonel Douglas Rose, who is a native of Qulin.
The Poplar Bluff JROTC will be posting and retiring the colors and the SEMO Honor Guard will be performing to close the ceremony.
