Inner levee finally clear of heavy water; Pankey almost in banks

Wednesday was still rainy, but there were enough dry periods to allow water pumps, and nature, to begin taking their course.

Water levels are down in Harrisburg.

A new city council and mayor take office with dry feet tonight. Mayor Valerie Rose Mitchell goes out of office with her wading boots wet from the week's water.

The Harrisburg Levee protects the city from outside backwaters, which are expected to rise. But the city's drainage system and large pumps are the first line of defense against flash flooding.

The city's problem for the past several days has been headwaters from the Pankey Branch drainage ditch and the West Harrisburg drainage. They have poured into the city and have been pumped out at an amazing rate.

From 7 a.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. today, city officials estimate the city's pumps have handled 1.08 billion - with a b --- gallons.

During the crisis, extra pumps were obtained by Raymond Gunning of the Water Sewer and Flood Control Department. However, they were not put into use.

The first pump blew a hose and when other pumps arrived, the city's main pumps were lowering the water levels effectively.

By this morning, Gunning said all streets are, in the main, clear of water. Water is off the Kroger parking lot and the Gaskins City ball diamonds are seeing the light of day.

"I think we did quite well," Gunning said.

He was complimentary to all city workers who pitched in and worked, some nearly around the clock.

Gunning said the pumps brought in were what he considered a necessary precaution as they are diesel-driven and the city pumps are powered by low voltage, high amperage - a combination impossible to power with a generator in event of a power failure.

Water this time, like in 2008, reached a level uncomfortably close to the main transformers for the pumps, he said.

Gunning, whose resignation was accepted by council and who will move back into a union city worker position, said "This was probably my last hurrah as flood control.

"I tried to make the right decisions. Nobody got water in their businesses. I really appreciated everything the workers and the council did.

"It's all about preparation."

Carrier Mills and county
Water appeared to be receding in Carrier Mills. Floodwater could still be seen in fields around the reservoir on U.S. Route 45. Tuller Road is still under water behind Millstone Market. Water also stands in fields beyond Millstone Market and Deborann Drive.

Flooding in the rural parts of Saline County seems to be stable or rising slightly, Highway Engineer Jeff Jones said.

"A lot of our areas in the southeastern part of the county area a direct correlation to the river stage; areas like Tuller Road are more affected by headwater," Jones said.

The county probably won't see much receding until next week, Jones said. Then, backwater from the Ohio River may be the biggest flooding threat to the county. As the Ohio River floods, the Saline River backs up and floods as well. Bottom land in Gallatin and Saline counties floods due to backwater.

Due to the combination of headwater and backwater, past history only provides so much guidance as to the extent of flooding, Saline County Emergency Management Agency Director Allan Ninness said.

"It's hard to put science on exactly where we are," Ninness said.

What's left of the flash flooding will interact with the backwater as the Ohio River continues to rise. They will find a level eventually, but nobody knows yet what that level will be, Ninness said.

The last big flood that had backwater that could be used as a guide was in 1997, in which the county had flooding and quite a few isolated areas, Ninness said.

"We're trying to keep that in our minds as a guide, but also remember that every flood is different," Ninness said.

Home and property owners should assume if flooding came close or overcame their property in 1997, it will get close again this year, Ninness said. Homeowners should be planning ahead of time in case evacuation is necessary. People should leave flooded areas before the water rises too high. If someone needs medical attention, it can be difficult to get in quickly in a flood situation, Ninness said.

It could also pose unnecessary risks to emergency personnel.

"It could also get people hurt getting to them," Ninness said.

No new road closures have been announced, but no rural roads have opened, either. The flooded rural roads include Tuller Road, Triple S Road, Lewis Road, Ingram Hill Road, South Fork Road, Horseshoe Road, Whitesville Road, Shawnee Hills Road, Rocky Branch Road, Pearce Road, Lindale Road, Land Road, Mt. Moriah Road, Allentown Road, Brown Road (east), Massey Road, Muddy Road, Christy Road and Grassy Creek Road.

"As far as I know, we've reached the high water mark as far as roads that are closed," Jones said.

A couple of areas along Tuller Road have subsided, "But Tuller Road is still under water in several places and is not passable," Jones said.

Ninness urged people not to go sight-seeing in flooded rural areas. Not all flooded roads are guaranteed to be marked.

"There may not always be a sign that says 'flood water ahead,'" Ninness said.

The county is short on signs right now. Ninness reminded people that stealing flooding signs on the roads could pose a hazard to someone else. Ninness plans to ask the Illinois Emergency Management Agency today for more signs.