Neosho, Anderson take stock after flooding

Jun. 25--As surging floodwaters receded, cities in Newton and McDonald counties continued Monday to take stock of damage left behind.

An estimated 4 to 6 inches of rain fell across those two counties Sunday, leading to flash flooding near waterways, damaging many of the same areas that were flooded in April 2017. Floodwaters damaged roads and bridges across the region, including in Anderson, where the west end of a bridge over Beaver Branch and its embankment were washed away.

Floodwaters along that branch also swept away a home near Anderson, with a woman believed to have been inside. Rescue crews continued to search for her on Monday.

Many of the damaged roads were undermined, said Charla Geller, Newton County emergency management director. Water removed the foundation underneath roadways, leading to a collapse of pavement.

Over the next few days, county emergency management directors hope to share information about where flooding victims can receive help from volunteers.

Neosho

Many of the same areas that flooded in 2017 saw flooding Sunday, said Neosho City Manager Leland Butcher. This year, however, flooding also occurred on Neosho Boulevard and South Street, flooding businesses such as Wildcat Corner and Westco Home Furnishings. The 2017 event affected more than 300 residents, causing about $2.7 million in losses.

"We're in the process of setting up a meeting for people affected by the floods, so they can get connected with groups that can provide volunteer help," Butcher said.

Significant damage at Morse Park has led the city to relocate its Celebrate Neosho event to the downtown square. Fences and landscaping were torn down, and gravel will need to be replaced, Butcher said.

The city is still assessing damage and is working with the county's emergency management director about qualifying for a disaster declaration.

Anderson

Damage assessments also continued in McDonald County around Anderson, where Beaver Branch took out the west end of a bridge along Main Street. Several other roadways were also damaged, said Greg Sweeten, county emergency management director.

"The road department has been working day and night to keep roads open," Sweeten said. "Some of them are limited, or down to one lane."

Sweeten said the county has yet to dive into residential and business damages, but already the county has met a damage threshold that would quality for a disaster declaration. Several homes along Indian Creek have sustained damage, Sweeten said.

The city of Anderson was under a boil order Monday after damage led to a break in a water main.

McDonald and Newton county officials also hope to piggyback on a potential statewide disaster declaration that covers flooding across northern Missouri earlier this year.

Seneca

Flooding across Cherokee Avenue in the downtown district led city officials to "close" the city Sunday, said Darren King, chief of the Seneca Fire Department. Residences in about a three-block area were evacuated in advance of rainfall.

Flood damage was minimal, King said -- as of Monday he had received no reports of water entering homes.

"We've heard about garages and front porches, but nothing in houses so far," King said.

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