support@semo.net
1573 686-9114​​​​

UPDATE, 8:30 am Monday:

• Lake Wappapello has overtopped the emergency spillway levee at Redman Creek, washing out Hwy T.

UPDATE, 4:00 pm Friday:

The AmeriCorps volunteer center asked us to share these two notices.

UPDATE, 2:00 pm Thursday:

• The Butler County Health Department provided this information from the CDC on Flood Water After a Disaster or Emergency. Please read, especially if you are now returning to an area that was flooded.
• Poplar Bluff R-1 Schools will be closed on Friday.

UPDATE, 10:00 am Thursday:

• Latest PBPD press release:
  

  The temporary evacuation order for the area of Poplar Bluff south of Ashcroft Road and east of WW Hwy (Ditch Road) has been lifted; residents may return home at any time.

  US Hwy 67 south of the Arkansas/Missouri state line is closed.

  Hwy 53 south of Poplar Bluff remains closed.

  “Buff Up the Bluff” will still be held on May 14th. Poplar Bluff residents are encouraged to take advantage of this event to dispose of items damaged or contaminated during the flood. Proof of residency within corporate city limits will be required.

  Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter will coordinate donations of non-perishable supplies. Steve Halter can be reached at 785-7761.

  Friends and family of persons who sought shelter can check their status at www.safeandwell.org. Monetary donations for the Red Cross can be made online at www.redcross-ozarks.org.

  The United Gospel Rescue Mission is also accepting donations (the Mission has contributed a great deal toward feeding flood victims and first responders).

  Residents can check for updates on twitter@pbpd, or tune in to local media outlets; non-emergency questions or concerns should be directed to 573-686-8685.

  For the safety of our Officers and the community we protect, citizens are urged to avoid the affected areas completely.

  Sight seers travelling by motor vehicle will complicate evacuation efforts by further congesting roadways, and they place themselves (and public safety officers) at risk in the event of a catastrophic failure of the levee system.

  Sight seers travelling by boat may unintentionally cause significant damage to the levee system, if only by disturbing the water in the area.

  Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

UPDATE, 3:00 pm Wednesday:

• Flood Relief (DONATION CENTER) needs:

  Please deliver to the old MAG building; Hwy 67 South, turn onto Butler County Road (in front of Hart’s Catfish). Drive 300 yards and turn right.

  Deliveries/Pickups accepted between 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

  Items still needed: Paper towels, Multi surface cleaner, Toilet Paper, Rubber gloves, Bleach, Dawn, Sponges, Buckets, Soap, Hand sanitizer, Batteries, Bandaids, Trash Bags, Combs/Brushes, Kleenex, Feminine hygiene products, Children’s sippy cups, Blankets, Box Fans, Mens/Womens/Children’s underwear & socks, Aluminum Foil, Face wipes, Fabric softener, Baby bottles, Q tips, Cotton Balls, Shampoo, Conditioner

UPDATE, 12:00 pm Wednesday:

• There is a levee breach near Qulin near the bridge on 53 Hwy, at County Road 202.
• Hwy T will be closed at the dam later today.

UPDATE, 2:00 pm Tuesday:

• At the request of the Poplar Bluff Animal Control Agency, today the Humane Society of Missouri is sending an eight-member Disaster Response Team to Poplar Bluff, Mo. in Butler County to rescue and shelter pets affected by flooding from the Black River. The field assessment team will canvass the area searching for and rescuing stranded and lost pets. The sheltering team will set up and operate an emergency shelter with the capacity to care for at least 100 pets. Persons displaced by the flooding who need shelter for their pets should call the Poplar Bluff Emergency Management Agency, 573-686-8686.

UPDATE, 1:00 pm Tuesday:

• Just in from the Chamber & the Red Cross: Please DO NOT take money/items to the BR Coliseum’s emergency shelter. Instead, take donations to the old MAG Building on Butler Co. Road, behind Harts Catfish. Law enforcement agencies (PBPD, Butler Co. Sheriff’s Dept., County/City Fire Dept., etc.) need food, dry socks, & toiletries. You can deliver items directly to their facilities.
• Briggs & Stratton has a recorded message on their phone line saying they are closed for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts. They plan to reopen tomorrow.

UPDATE, 12:20 pm Tuesday:

• There is a trailer set up in front of Wal-Mart that is collecting cleaning supplies, bleach, rubber gloves, brooms and mops, etc. for when the water goes down.
• PB R-1 schools will be closed through Thursday.

UPDATE, 9:30 am Tuesday:

• P.B. Police and County officials have confirmed a breach in the levee at County Road 607 and are asking that anyone still in the affected area to please evacuate to safety as soon as possible.
• If you can help fill sandbags, volunteers may be needed at the county shed by Hart’s Catfish on 67 South.

UPDATE, 5:40 pm Monday:

• Tornado Warning until 6:15 for Western Butler, Eastern Ripley. Locations include Fairdealing, Oxly, Naylor, Neelyville, Harviell, Poplar Bluff.

UPDATE, 4:45 pm Monday:

• National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning lasting until 9:30 this evening. Another strong storm is headed in, capable of producing 1″ or 2″ of rainfall in an hour.
• NWS has issued a tornado watch for the area, lasting until midnight.
• NWS has issued a Tornado Warning for Ripley County in effect until 5:45pm. Locations affected include Doniphan, Oxly, Fairdealing, and Naylor.

UPDATE, 3:00 pm Monday:

• @pbpd reports: “Areas north of HH hwy and between 142 and Black River need to begin evacuations immediately.” and “Residents living SOUTH of HH hwy between Hwy 142 and Black River are encouraged to be prepared to evacuate quickly.”
• Updated PBPD press release below.
• Red Cross shelter at BRC will need volunteers over the next few days.

UPDATE, 2:30 pm Monday:

• Butler County Sheriff’s Dept is recommending voluntary evacuation for residents of Broseley and Qulin.
• Added Red Cross press release regarding the BRC shelter.
• Facebook post indicates that there is a donation table set up at the BRC, and they are particularly in need of “toiletry items, individually wrapped snacks, plastic utensils, diabetic prepackaged snacks and towels.”
• Poplar Bluff R-1 and Twin Rivers schools will be closed on Tuesday.

Below is the most recent press release from the Poplar Bluff PD regarding the dangerous flood state of Black River in PB. We also highly recommend that residents follow @pbpd on Twitter for updates from the Police Department. They just posted that Ditch Road is being closed from Hwy 53 to the 5th St overpass.

The Red Cross is taking donations of unopened food and personal hygiene items at the Black River Coliseum to help those who have taken refuge from the flooding there.

A Facebook group has been established to exchange information among residents.

For travel outside of Poplar Bluff, please check the MODOT Traveler Information Map to see if your route is passable; many highways in the region are currently closed due to flooding.

Press Release from the Poplar Bluff Police Department
Updated 04-25-11 at 1400 hrs

On 4/25 at 1330 hrs the Incident Command Center at the Poplar Bluff Police Department received information that the levee on the west side of Black River south of Poplar Bluff had been compromised in several different areas. The water level of Black River has exceeded the height of the levee in those areas, and water pouring over the top of the levee creates an environment which might lead to failure in each of those (compromised) areas. This danger is compounded by the forecast of additional rain throughout the rest of the day and tonight.

Residents of Butler County Missouri living in the area south of Poplar Bluff, north of HH Hwy, and between Hwy 142 and Black River are strongly urged to evacuate to higher ground immediately.

Those residents living south of HH Hwy, between Hwy 142 and Black River are encouraged to prepare for rapid evacuation in the event of levee failure.

Earlier today, the City of Poplar Bluff issued a mandatory evacuation order for the southern portion of Poplar Bluff, defined as the area south of Black River, and East of WW Hwy (“Ditch Road”). Residents living in this area were advised to move to higher ground immediately. Residents living on the west side of WW Hwy were encouraged monitor water levels in their neighborhood, and to make preparations to relocate as necessary.

A shelter has been established at the Black River Coliseum.

Residents can check for updates on twitter@pbpd, or tune in to local media outlets; non-emergency questions or concerns should be directed to 573-686-8685.

For the safety of our Officers and the community we protect, citizens are urged to avoid the affected areas completely.

Sight seers travelling by motor vehicle will complicate evacuation efforts by further congesting roadways, and they place themselves (and public safety officers) at risk in the event of a catastrophic failure of the levee system.

Sight seers travelling by boat may unintentionally cause significant damage to the levee system, if only by disturbing the water in the area.

Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Red Cross press release:

American Red Cross Offering Shelter
From Rising Water in Poplar Bluff

(Cape Girardeau, MO) – American Red Cross volunteers, in partnership with the community, are staffing a shelter in Poplar Bluff. This shelter will provide a safe, dry place for those affected by flood waters. Shelter location:

Black River Coliseum
301 South 5th Street
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901-7312

Red Cross Executive Director, Cheryl Klueppel, says “We encourage individuals to contact friends or family for a place to stay; if you do stay at the shelter, please bring any personal items and medication you may need.”

Things to remember in a Red Cross Shelter:

• Bring any personal items (medication, glasses, etc) that you may need.
• Shelters are set up in a “dormitory” style. There is little privacy in the public areas.
• If you have special dietary needs, please bring along your own food.
• Bring along a book, or games, to pass the time.
• Listen to local radio and television for updated information.