Severe thunderstorms in western Missouri on May 6 caused flooding along the Missouri River and its tributaries and forced the closure of several highways in in the northwest and north central areas of the state.

MoDOT coordinated transportation-related efforts, including monitoring roads and installing signs to close roads when necessary. Working with the State Emergency Management Agency, the Northeast District crews even provided “road closed” signs to help several northwest counties. Also at SEMA’s request, MoDOT crews delivered sand bags in Callaway County to protect a levee along Route 94 and property at the airport.

“Crews statewide are ready to close roads as they need to in an emergency,” said State Traffic Engineer Eileen Rackers. “MoDOT takes a proactive approach from monitoring conditions to preparing for road closures.”

Another one of MoDOT’s major responsibilities during this flood was providing one place the public could get up-to-date information on road closures. We were able to inform the public of changes in road conditions quickly and accurately using some quick additions to our Web site.

“Accurate information on road closures is critical because it impacts everything from how we route commercial trucks to how motorists plan their trips,” Rackers said.

MoDOT provided this information by asking the districts to input road closures into the flood condition database. Then IS staff linked it from the Maintenance Intranet site to the external Web site.

MoDOT also strengthened internal communications by holding daily conference calls with all districts to ensure everyone was prepared and fully aware of the situation as it changed.

According to State Maintenance Engineer Jim Carney, “MoDOT will now be working with FHWA, FEMA and SEMA to assess damages and determine what road and bridge repairs are needed in the 33 counties affected by the flood.”