December 31, 2015

Aerial pics of historic flooding on Meramec River

Aerial pics of historic flooding along the Meramec River from Wednesay, Dec. 30, 2015. Floodwaters closed Interstate 44, placed Valley Park is under a mandatory evacuation order and are expected to keep rising through Thursday.

http://www.stltoday.com/gallery/news/aerial-pics-of-historic-flooding-on-meramec-river/collection_413db776-745e-5bd1-9d6b-7f31b0befbc0.html#0

Aerial Photos I-44 and Valley Park, Missouri area by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

December 31, 2015

Northbound I-55 shut down, southbound traffic reduced to 1 lane

ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) – As crews continue to battle the rising floodwaters on I-55, the Missouri Highway Patrol drastically reduced the flow of traffic at Meramec Bottom

MHP shut down the northbound lanes at 9:30 p.m. and began diverting traffic onto Highway 141, and a short time later, officers reduced southbound traffic to a single lane.

The southbound lane reduction was designed to slow traffic and allow crews to pump more water off the roadway to make it safer. Officials say they hope to reopen another lane with the hour.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has worked aggressively throughout the day to keep I-55 open, battling historic water levels with sandbags and pumping systems.

http://www.kmov.com/story/30855066/modot-working-to-keep-i-55-open-to-traffic

December 31, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 31

National Champagne Day While true champagne only comes from France’s Champagne region, there is plenty of bubbly available from Italy, California and even the South of France. Ringing in the New Year is the perfect opportunity each year to celebrate National Champagne Day. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

Make Up Your Mind Day Make Up Your Mind Day just goes to show that there really is a day for everything. This one is aimed at those who may be just a little (or a lot) indecisive. So to all you undecided people out there: no matter whether you have a habit annoying your friends by struggling to pick a dish at a restaurant, or trying to decide if you’re really, really ready for that career change, this is the one day when the choice has to be made. No excuses, no procrastination, no ands, ifs or buts—this day is your chance to stop putting things off for fear of responsibility and get things done. And what a better day to do this than New Year’s Eve, when you’re standing on the brink of a whole New Year and perhaps wondering what you could do to make it your own? While it may seem a little scary at first, especially to those unaccustomed to being decisive, the ultimate goal is to take control of you life by making a decision and sticking with it. It’s celebrated by being brave and taking chances, and by learning something new about yourself along the way. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/make-up-your-mind-day/

New Years Eve Also known as Old Year’s Day or Saint Sylvester’s Day, New Year’s Eve is celebrated annually on December 31st. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

No Interruptions Day December 31st is, for those unlucky enough to not be on holiday, the last working day of the year. Thankfully, things tend to be quiet at the office between Christmas and New Year, and No Interruptions Day capitalises on this to encourage some productivity by getting people to ignore chatty co-workers, turn off their inboxes, unplug their phones and get some work done. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/no-interruptions-day/


http://www.famousbirthdays.com/december31.html

December 30, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 30

National Bicarbonate Of Soda Day (Baking Soda) National Bicarbonate of Soda Day or Baking Soda day is observed annually each year on December 30th. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

Bacon Day This is easily one of the tastiest holidays you can celebrate! The best way of celebrating this dedication to swine delicacies is by indulging in the delicious treats that come from our four hooved friends. You can start by going to an all you can eat breakfast place that has bacon on the menu, trust us, they exist! Then you can head on out to your favorite lunch stop and get your favorite bacony treat, we personally prefer cheeseburgers with extra bacon! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/bacon-day/

Falling Needles Family Fest Day This day is a reminder for those of us who enjoyed a live Christmas tree over the holidays to clean it up and recycle it. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/december30.html

December 29, 2015

Evacuation of West Alton underway as levee is over-topped

WEST ALTON (KMOV.com) -
Residents of West Alton, Missouri are being evacuated due to the over-topping of the Consolidated North County Levee on the Mississippi River.

On Monday, authorities issued a voluntary evacuation request, but on Tuesday said flooding of the city was imminent.

Also on Tuesday, Highway 94 is compromised. Drivers commuting from Illinois to Missouri via Route 67 will need to find another route Monday as MoDOT announced it will close the roadway at 10 a.m. due to flooding as the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers converge in that area of St. Charles County.

Officials said the southbound lanes beginning at the Clark Bridge in Alton, Illinois to Route 94 in West Alton, Missouri will be closed until further notice.

http://www.kmov.com/story/30838907/modot-closing-route-67-in-alton-due-to-flooding

December 29, 2015

Mount Vernon basketball team rescued after being trapped on school bus

(KMOV.com) – Crews have successfully rescued a group of students who were trapped on a school bus after flood waters rose near Mascoutah.

The incident happened at Highway 161 at North County Road as the Mount Vernon basketball team was en route to Mascoutah for a game. It is still unclear the age of the rescued students.

In total, 18 people were rescued and no injuries were reported. The Illinois State Police, Mascoutah, Belleville, and St. Clair County, Illinois officials all responded to the scene.

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/30842520/flood-waters-trap-children-on-school-bus-near-mascoutah?sf17772278=1

December 29, 2015

Daily Holidays - December 29

Pepper Pot Day The winter of 1777 – 1778 was brutal. The Continental Army was fighting for the newly formed country of the United States of America during the Revolutionary War. As they were camped at Valley Forge on December 29th, 1777, George Washington ask the army’s chef to prepare a meal that would boost their moral and warm them. The chef rounded up some peppercorn, small bits of meat, tribe and other ingredients and called it Pepper Pot Soup, also known as Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup.

The meal was well received and it was nicknamed “the soup that won the war”. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

Tick Tock Day. There are only two days left until the end of the year; have you achieved everything you set out to do, upheld your New Year’s resolutions and made a difference? Tick Tock Day puts the pressure on you to cram in some last-minute work before the end of the year to achieve your goals! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tick-tock-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/december29.html

December 28, 2015

Ameren Missouri opens all floodgates at the Bagnell Dam

All 12 gates at the Bagnell Dam at the Ameren Missouri Osage Energy Center were opened to alleviate flooding, according to Ameren Missouri.

As of Sunday, the Lake of the Ozarks levels were at 661.5 feet, officials said.

If rain continues as forecasted, officials said the lake will be above levels reached after floods this summer.

Ameren Missouri urged property owners at the Lake of the Ozarks and along the Osage River to use precautionary measures for the next several days. Property owners are encouraged to turn off electricity running to their docks or any other structures that might be covered by water.

http://www.abc17news.com/news/ameren-missouri-opens-all-floodgates-at-the-bagnell-dam/37153076

December 28, 2015

Emergency declared as rain keeps falling; concern turning to rising rivers

On Sunday afternoon, as rain continued to pummel much of the St. Louis region, 2015 officially became the wettest year on record.

It came amid reports of widespread flooding, a plea by officials in West Alton to evacuate and the closure of Interstate 70 through the heart of St. Charles County. And with rain continuing Monday, river levels throughout the region are expected to hit near-record crests by New Year’s Eve.

The rain, flooding and flash flooding across the state prompted Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon to declare a state of emergency Sunday, with a warning that residents avoid water-covered roads and avoid travel at all if possible.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/emergency-declared-as-rain-keeps-falling-concern-turning-to-rising/article_592378ee-58c5-58bf-844f-7192031de91f.html

December 28, 2015

Both Directions Closed on I-70 in St. Charles County

JEFFERSON CITY -- Both directions of Interstate 70 remain closed in St Charles County near Route 79 in St Peters due to rising flood waters from the Dardenne Creek. The eastbound lanes closed around noon Sunday, December 27 and the westbound lanes closed around 2:30 p.m.

It is expected that both the eastbound and westbound lanes will remain closed for Monday morning rush hour traffic.

Motorists who need to use eastbound I-70 in St Charles County can exit at Interstate 64 eastbound to Route 364 eastbound. Route 364 connects to Interstate 270 in St. Louis County and from there motorists can reconnect to Interstate 70. Westbound I-70 travelers will have to exit the highway at Route 94 in St Charles. They can take westbound Route 94 to westbound I-64 to connect back to I-70.

In addition, Interstate 49 remains closed in Carthage, Missouri. There are more than 180 roads closed across the state due to flooding.

http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/highway-closure-near-st-louis-could-effect-your-travel