By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Flash Flood Warnings remain in effect across northwest Missouri and eastern Kansas area Friday as showers and storms continue to make their way out of the the region.
Many areas have already seen 6-10 inches of rain or more.
National Weather Service meteorologist Brad Temeyer from the Pleasant Hill office says areas in Andrew County, particularly in and around Amazonia, have seen the highest rain totals.
"We've just seen storms training across that area for several hours Thursday," he said. "And that even continued into this morning."
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H Marine Division, along with Andrew County Fire and Rescue, conducted evacuations and water rescues in Amazonia due to high water. Andrew County Sheriff Grant Gillett says it’s still an active situation there.
"We still have several residences and businesses with water inside of them or surrounding them at this point and time," Gillett said early Friday.
Interstate 29 in Holt and Andrew County was closed from mile markers 84-92 for several hours due to flooding, but it reopened just after 5 a.m. Friday.
However, Missouri 48 at Rosendale is down to one lane. U.S. Highway 169 near Todd’s Tire Service at the Andrew/Buchanan County line is closed. As is Double-D Highway, Route T and 71 Highway south of Savannah due to mudslides and standing water.
Meanwhile, Missouri 6 east out of St. Joseph is closed due to flooding as well. As are portions of Route C in Buchanan County.
St. Joseph Police said Friday that eastbound traffic on U.S. Highway 36 must get off at the Ag Expo Exit due to dangerously high water.
DeKalb County law enforcement reports multiple highway and rural road closures there as well.
Temeyer says another round of strong storms and heavy rain are possible today and tonight.
"We are in a slight risk for severe weather across the area (Friday)," Temeyer said. "But, then we're in a moderate risk for excessive rainfall. So, really, this air mass that's very, very moist across the area isn't going to go anywhere anytime soon."
An additional 1-4 inches of rain is possible by Sunday morning. Gillett says law enforcement will do all they can to continue to help those most impacted by the flooding.
"We're doing everything we can possibly do," he said. "We're trying to get more officers in the area to help. We're doing everything we can to provide assistance with them (in Amazonia) to get their belongings from their house or to keep the roads closed long enough for them to be able to get all of their belongings and keep providing protection down there."
In St. Joseph, multiple roadways in and around town have standing water. That’s according to Police Sergeant Brian McClintick.
"Probably 30-40 streets that were off and on covered all night," McClintick said. "The list is rather long."
St. Joseph Police helped four cars stranded in flood water overnight Thursday, including two near I-229 and St. Joseph Avenue. The city saw anywhere from 8-10 inches between Thursday night and Friday morning.
McClintick urges motorists to use caution, and check road conditions before heading out.
"I think we might have a repeat of water standing in the streets," McClintick said on the potential for more rain. "If that's the case, people need to stay off the roadways."