All photos: Minnie HaHa Park.
by Don Corrigan
For the second time in less than six months, eastern and southern Missouri have been hit with record floodwaters. Stretches of roadway were closed at Meramec Bottom, Hawkins, Butler Hill, Smizer Mill and Pritchard Farm roads
The early April storms were a repeat of a November scenario when flooding severely damaged state and local parks and closed highways. Sandbags once again found use in some river towns along the lower Meramec and its tributaries.
A fatality occurred this time around when a 16-year-old junior firefighter was on his way to a water rescue and lost control of his vehicle. Chevy Gall was killed on Highway 50 near MO-185 on April 4 in the midst of heavy rains.
Gall was remembered April 12 in a ceremony in Franklin County’s Life Stream Church after being killed in the crash. Firefighters in the Beaufort-Leslie Fire Protection District had high praise for Gall and his dedication to rescue and responder work.
Heavy rains and flash floods hurt river site parks and also scoured riverbeds. The torrential rains and high water damaged stream beds and caused unprecedented erosion at some locations.
Only ducks, frogs, and their tadpole spawn were happy with standing water that covered bike and hiking trails for days. Greenway trails in Kirkwood, Fenton and Valley Park were especially hit hard.
In the St. Louis region, drivers in the Valley Park-Fenton area were once again frustrated when roads closed part of Highway 141 near I-44 due to the flooding Meramec River. Horses had to be moved to higher ground at nearby riding stables.
Marshall Road in Valley Park went underwater as did riding trails along the Meramec in Eureka. Minnie Ha Ha Park in Sunset Hills suffered severe damage to its shoreline with trails and facilities washed out.
Recovery work at Minnie Ha Ha was yet to be completed from November washouts on park trails. This month’s storm waters took out tables, fencing, picnic areas and washed out a major piece of trail along the Meramec River.
For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Environmental Echo 