December 31, 2015

SWIFT WATER RESCUE: Alton Fire Department's specially trained crew, Jersey, QEM teams, bring 10 to s

SPANKEY - Rescuers had their hands full Monday in the Spankey area along Macoupin Creek in Jersey County, but they successfully brought 10 people and several dogs to safety.

Jersey County and QEM both put out mutual aid emergency assist calls at 8:30 a.m. on Monday.

Alton Fire Department Chief Bernie Sebold and his specially trained rescue team responded and were asked to perform a swift water rescue in the Spankey area, he said.

Spankey is an unincorporated community in Jersey County, located about two miles east of the Illinois River.

http://www.riverbender.com/articles/details/swift-water-rescue-alton-fire-departments-specially-trained-rescuers-jersey-qem-teams-bring-10-to-safety-10576.cfm#at_pco=cfd-1.0&at_ab=-&at_pos=2&at_tot=10&at_si=56853c0730fa4617

December 31, 2015

List of (St. Louis, MO) area roads closed due to high water

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/list-of-area-roads-closed-due-to-high-water/article_e6723125-5ef8-5e50-9094-d88875edb6eb.html

UPDATED at 5:30 p.m. with Jefferson County road closures from the Missouri Department of Transportation

Hundreds of roads across the state due to flooding, including roughly 40 in the St. Louis area, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Floodwaters from the Meramec River forced the shutdown of all lanes of Interstate 44 for a 24-mile stretch early Wednesday. The closure could last through Friday.

Ten miles of the interstate were closed at about 1:15 a.m. Wednesday between Bowles Avenue in Fenton to Highway 109 in Eureka. Then, before 9 a.m., the shutdown doubled to 20 miles, extending from from Bowles to Highway 100 in Gray Summit. Less than an hour later, it was extended east to Interstate 270.

December 31, 2015

U.S. grain prices soar as floods shut waterways, threaten crops

CHICAGO • U.S. grain farmers scrambled to find shelter for their crops and handlers hunted for alternative transportation routes, as widespread floods shut waterways from Illinois to Missouri and spurred a surge in physical prices of corn and soybeans.

The sudden jump in prices could complicate a months-long stand-off between farmers who are unwilling to sell their bumper crop at low prices and buyers who have refused to budge on their cash offers amid plentiful supplies.

It could also further curb export demand, with U.S. traders struggling to compete with their cheaper Latin American rivals.

Cash premiums for soybeans in the U.S. barge market, jumped to as high as 70 cents per bushel on Wednesday, their loftiest since mid-November as the rapidly rising waters forced the Coast Guard to shut a five-mile section of the Mississippi River, including the harbor at St. Louis, traders told Reuters.

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/u-s-grain-prices-soar-as-floods-shut-waterways-threaten/article_c9985b7c-b3ec-52f4-8399-a866c86ccc51.html

December 31, 2015

Spectra Energy shuts Platte pipeline to Wood River Refinery because of flooding

HOUSTON • Spectra Energy has shut its Platte pipeline which connects to the Wood River Refinery in the Metro East due to flooding along the Mississippi River, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The 932-mile Platte Pipeline transports up to 164,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil from Casper, Wyo., to Guernsey, Wyo., and 145,000 bpd from Guernsey to llinois.

Spectra did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The pipeline is the second crude system delivering into the Wood River Refinery to shut as a result of flooding following severe weather throughout parts of the Midwest. Phillips 66 operates the 306,000 barrel-per-day refinery, which is located in Roxana.

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/spectra-energy-shuts-platte-pipeline-to-wood-river-refinery-because/article_9856ab25-f47f-5e23-81e5-9bd6a6d4343a.html

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