Corps flood fight goes beyond levees to help protect roads

Published June 5, 2013

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may be best known for building some of our nation's most important infrastructure, including flood protection and hurricane reduction systems, but today the Corps’ St. Louis District is providing technical support to keep traffic moving on Missouri roads.

Following a levee overtopping in both the Kuhs and Consolidated North County levee systems, flood water inundated the basin at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, pushing water under and then across the southbound lanes of Highway 67 near west Alton, Mo.

Corps technical experts deployed to the area early Wednesday morning.

"We began actively monitoring the levees and water levels Saturday," said Greg Bertoglio, the St. Charles area engineer. "We are working with the Missouri Department of Transportation to keep traffic moving, get the water off the road, and stop the water from flowing over the highway."

The St. Louis District has more than 80 engineers and technical experts deployed throughout the region supporting local flood fighting efforts, monitoring levees and providing supplies as needed. The Corps’ experienced, multi-disciplinary Emergency Management team has provided more than 640,000 sandbags and 540 rolls of plastic sheeting

Even as the flood is forecasted to recede over the next few days, the St. Louis team remains prepared to respond in the event additional rain brings the rivers back up.

For updated information and forecasts, visit the USACE St. Louis District Flood Fight page: http://bit.ly/floodfight2013


Release no. 13-051