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Flood of 2008 Open Thread * UPDATED x7 *

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Illinois

* I’ve already given you the address to send contributions for victims of the southeastern Illinois flood. But some of you have asked what you can do to help hold back the flooding in the Quincy area. Here’s some info, provided by a friend of the blog and Doug Wilson at the Quincy Herald Whig. Check the Herald Whig’s site throughout the day for more information, but here’s what we have so far…

A - NIOTA, IL

If you’d like to help sandbag in Niota you can call Hancock County emergency services at 217-357-6004 for more information.

B – URSA, IL

Sandbagging efforts are speeding up near Ursa.
Volunteers are still needed; you can just show up to the Shaffer farm, just west of the North Bottoms Road.

Volunteers sandbagging at the Ursa levee aren’t just requesting more help; they’re also requesting cold bottled water for those who are working.

The operation is underway at Shaffer Farm, along the Ursa blacktop road, 1/8 mile west of the North Bottoms Road.

C – QUINCY, IL

Sandbagging operation at the Oakley-Lindsay Center
3rd and Kentucky

ALSO:

Sny Drainage District Asking for Help

The Sny Drainage District needs volunteers to help fill and place sandbags. The Union United Methodist Church, will be running shuttles back and forth to the site starting at 10am Friday until dusk.

There will be food and beverages at the site. Please wear appropriate clothing, and plan to stay for at least 3 hours.

The shuttles will leave from the church at 1101 State Friday morning and run through the day. For more information, call Pastor Bob Morewell at 223-6062.

FINALLY, A WARNING FROM OUR FRIENDS IN MISSOURI:

The Canton Missouri website warns:

EVERYONE SHOULD GET A TETANUS SHOT IF THEY ARE WORKING WITH SANDBAGS OR ON THE LEVEE IF THEIR LAST SHOT WAS MORE THAN ONE YEAR AGO, ACCORDING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

* And a poll…

Should Gov. Blagojevich visit the flood sites in Illinois even if it might interfere with flood control and rescue efforts? ( surveys)

*** UPDATE 1 *** Word just came down that Gov. Blagojevich will visit Quincy at about 2:30 this afternoon. No word yet on if he will also visit southeastern Illinois.

*** UPDATE 2 *** The guv is also heading to Lawrenceville. From a pal…

The agenda we got faxed to us a little while ago shows Blago going to Lawrenceville IL at 12:20 before coming to Quincy at about 2:30 .

*** UPDATE 3 *** The times have been moved back. From a press release…

WHO: Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
State emergency officials
Local elected officials

WHAT: Tour of flood impacted areas in Lawrenceville followed by press briefing on State action.

WHEN: Friday, June 13, 2008
1:00 pm

WHERE: Parkside Elementary School
1900 Cedar St.
Lawrenceville, IL

WHO: Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
State emergency officials
Local elected officials

WHAT: Aerial and ground tour of area along the rising Mississippi River in Quincy followed by press briefing on State action.

WHEN: Friday, June 13, 2008
3:00 pm

WHERE: Oakley Lindsay Civic Center
300 Civic Center Place (3rd and York)
Quincy, IL

*** UPDATE 4 *** I just got off the phone with a Herald-Whig reporter who said that he’s just been informed ~~that the governor has canceled the Quincy event~~. He did make it to Lawrenceville, however. More later.

*** UPDATE 5 *** The governor’s office says he’s on his way to Quincy right now.

*** UPDATE 6 *** More trouble on yet another river…

MORRISON, Illinois — The Whiteside County Sheriff, Roger Schipper, is advising residents along the Rock River in Whiteside County of possible major flooding in the next 48 to 72 hours.

The Rock is projected to rise another 3 feet during that time.

*** UPDATE 7 *** This seems like a good idea…

With a near-record 32-foot Mississippi River flood crest now being forecast for Quincy, U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Barack Obama on Friday urged Gov. Rod Blagojevich to consider pre-emptively declaring disaster areas for some Illinois counties facing potential major damage, including those in the Quincy region.

“If the state can make an early declaration, it’s going to help a lot of smaller communities that don’t have the resources of a city like Quincy,” Durbin said Friday morning during a press conference at Quincy’s city-sponsored sandbagging site in the Oakley-Lindsay Center.

Durbin came to Quincy Friday with several other political leaders — including U.S. Rep. Phil Hare and Illinois Sen. John Sullivan — to assess the situation and see what can be done to aid local communities girding for the worst flooding since the historic disaster of 1993.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 8:45 am

Comments

Rich - Is the impeachment/budget/corruption situation with the Governor sooo bad that he can’t even stick his head out of his door anymore? Is he sooo afraid of downstate TV and newspaper reporters asking him about “side issues” that he won’t even do a fly over of the flood-threatened areas of the State? Or, as you wrote yesterday in a comment, is he only concerned with how he appears to Chicago TV viewers and the rest of the state be damned? Regardless of what you think about the Governor at the moment politically, this is unconscionable.

Comment by tubbfan Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 8:50 am
Have seen IEMA folk working hard down here. Plus saw some prisoners helping to sandbag.
Looks like big help will be needed this weekend before rivers crest early next week.

Comment by DumberThanULook Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 8:50 am
Has the governor ever had a photo op in a jon boat? I can’t remember one and it’s got to be a great shot for Chicago TV. But please…no camoflage, just jeans and a polo shirt (with life vest–as a role model for the kids).

Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 8:50 am
I wish all of those in QUincy and elsewhere the best of luck in holding back the River.

On the Blago thing, I never understood this thing of visting disaster sites. The Gov needs to provide resources for emergencies not his presence. (unles he plans to help sandbag) the media and security stuff tends to get in the way with such a visit.

I am surpised the State and DoC are not seeking more inmate volunteers from the minimium security prisons to help sandbag etc.

Comment by Ghost Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 8:55 am
Word from the locals also has been that Gov visit has been planned. Likely today.

Comment by DumberThanULook Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 8:56 am
We’ll see. Nothing has been tipped to the local paper yet.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 8:57 am
Dumb….planned for Quincy or Lawrenceville?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 9:00 am
The Mississippi at Canton, MO, is expected to crest at 26.8 feet next Wednesday. Flood stage is 14 feet. At Quincy, flood stage is 17 feet; the river will crest at 30.2 feet. At Saverton L&D 22, the crest will be within a foot of the record of 1993.

And, yes, the governor should visit these areas. His visit is not likely to cause any disruption of relief/evacuation operations but would be symbolic of the state’s “interest” in “Forgottonia.”

He should have already been in Lawrence and Crawford counties. He should dip further south and visit Wabash, White, and Saline counties. Then he should head to west-central Illinois and see what is happening in Hanc*ck, Adams, Pike, and Calhoun counties.

Comment by Fan of the Game Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 9:13 am
Not only visiting, he needs to be working with federal authorities so this time funding requests ARE NOT rejected. Sorry for the caps, Rich.

Comment by fan of cap fax Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 9:17 am
He should visit, and with a little planning, it can certainly be arranged that he doesn’t get in the way.

More importantly, he should be at work.

Only a governor can keep the heat on to make sure everything that can be done is being done well.

Goofing off at a Cubs game in the middle of day in the midst of emergencies all around the state demonstrates his narcissism and contempt for the job and the citizens.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 9:33 am
“Forgottonia” use to be south of I-80 and west of the Illinois River. It looks like it’s expanded to included everything that’s not Chicago. How sad!
Neighboring Governors have canceled trips and such, but unfortunitly ours just doesn’t get it or more than likey doesn’t care!
The impeachment memo, be it right or wrong, doesn’t matter, G-Rod’s inaction speaks for it’s self!

Comment by South of I-80 Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 9:36 am
The last 100 yr. flood was in ‘95. Al Grosboll coordinated the relief efforts. (I doubt that the current administration has any idea where to start.)
There are also many people from the Ryan administration that were experts in disaster relief. I am just saying, if you don’t know what to do - ask.

Comment by Shelbyville Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 9:48 am
The Governor is headed to Lawrenceville today. You can quote me. He’s only about a week late, eh?

If you ask me, its better never than late.

Comment by bud Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 10:42 am
The governor is headed to Lawrenceville. I’ve got it on good authority.

Comment by Quacktastic Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 11:02 am
Can’t we track Blago’s flights anymore?

And yes, he is waaaaaaay late to these places. Oy.

Comment by This Guy Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 11:14 am
He’s got to find Southern Illinois first before he can visit it.

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 11:15 am
Not sure why my post from last night on this issue was deleted from the previous thread, as I thought it might be helpful to to speed up receipt of financial aid and make its distribution more efficient. Perhaps too much snark, so I’ll try again here.

Is it possible to work with those responsible for requesting and distributing financial aid to establish an electronic platform for both receipt and distribution, rather than writing and mailing checks?

Payments could be received electornically via PayPal or some other contribution medium. As pointed out last night, Sign Me Up Sports registers people by the thousands or events and processes their payments on line.

The bank could receive the monies electronically via electronic funds transfer, and then set up an account from which limited value debit cards could be issued so that these could be distributed to individuals and families to be used for whatever purposes they needed them (temporary housing, food, clothing, diapers, formula etc.).

This just seems to me to be a far more efficient means to address the issue of financial aid, and help solve the immediate problem.

Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 11:38 am
Will the Guv have someone with him who can help him find Quincy? It is outside Chicago and not really even close to Springfield where he occasionally visits.

Long as he has the helicopter out, will he swing by Benton to look for empty buildings or vacant sites?

Comment by BehindTheScenes Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 11:43 am
So the poll respondees overwhelmingly support Blago making a trip even if it interferes with the rescue efforts? Stupid, stupid! I know it is not scientific, but stupid! He should address via press conferences, appoint task forces, but do not interfere with the efforts.

I do imagine Blago will find someone in his neighborhood or a donor named Quincy to visit…not the actual town.

Comment by Wumpus Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 11:44 am
Niota flooded last time the Mississippi flooded. Weren’t there rumblings at the time of just moving the whole town so it wouldn’t be vulnerable to flooding again? Whatever happened with that?

Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 11:44 am
BehindTheScenes, he knows where Quincy is. Remember the bus trip last year when a big crowd heckled him? I do.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 11:49 am
Well he canceled his men’s health promotion at the Marion ballpark, so he’s probably on the way to the floods today… or just not wanting the baseball field backdrop when asked why he was at the Cubs game instead of working. The delay might be from trying to find a legislator from that area willing to stand next to the gov for a photo op.

Comment by Mister Roarke Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 11:50 am
It’s important to physically tour storm-ravaged areas out of respect for the victims, if for no other reason.

Comment by Lurker Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 1:14 pm
Is this a sign of how things are going today?
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
1238 PM CDT FRI JUN 13 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LINCOLN HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR A LEVEE FAILURE IN…
SOUTHERN LAWRENCE COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS…

* UNTIL 645 PM CDT.

* AT 1238 PM CDT…LAWRENCE COUNTY SHERIFFS AND THE CORP OF ENGINEERS
REPORTED THAT A LEVEE ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF THE WABASH
RIVER…2 TO 3 MILES NORTHEAST OF SAINT FRANCISVILLE…MAY FAIL
THIS AFTERNOON. THIS WOULD CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF AREAS WEST OF
THE RIVER TOWARDS ROUTE 1.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 1:28 pm
There’s also more storms in the area to delay his flight…more rain.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 1:30 pm
Wanna start a poll as to how late the gov arrives at Quincy?

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 1:31 pm
Sorry for the all caps. Assuming he shows up at both places, Rod should be applauded for making the trip.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 1:32 pm
Sure Li’l Egypt….as a severe thunderstorm is about to hit Lawrence County, I’ll wager he goes to Quincy first. He’s there by 3.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 1:34 pm
Don’t these areas of flooding have enough bad luck. They probably don’t want to see the guv.

Comment by Bman Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 1:43 pm
Probably not bman, but he needs to see them!

Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 1:50 pm
Oh lord are we in trouble now. After visiting the flooded areas, I just know the gov is going to want his own navy to play with. I’m picturing him floating down the Missippi on his personal party barge.

Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 1:54 pm
Governor Culver is all over Iowa as he should be. He’s checking out the damage personally, comforting victims, promising and DELIVERING aid. Earlier in the week he toured with the Commander of the Iowa National Guard; today it’s the head of FEMA. He’s talking to the media, but not staging attention-seeking media events. That’s what Governors do, at least good ones.

Comment by puzzler Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 2:00 pm
Glad the governor is going to tour today. We’ve badgered him for like two days and he is going. Even if he can do nothing but act concerned maybe hand out a few bottles of water and talk to the experts on the conditions–the man is going and I thank him for that.

Comment by Princeville Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 2:26 pm
Current predictions show the Mississippi at Quincy, IL, Hannibal,MO, and Louisiana, MO, rising to the record levels set in 1993. The lock and dam at Saverton will likely exceed the record by about half a foot.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 3:04 pm
Blago won’t be able to tour the flood ravaged areas without pursuing his own agenda. Do you think for a minute he would be unselfish like the governor of Penn was when he helped haul the miners out who were trapped in a mine a few years ago or any other countless things governors in this country have done when disaster strikes their areas? Not on your life. He will utter more than once how we need a capital bill passed and encourage people to contact their legislators. He can’t go anywhere without spouting out statistics that are permanently etched on his gray matter. I wish he would for once act like a decent human being, go to Lawrenceville, Quincy, or other parts of this state, roll up the sleeves of his designer shirt, get the pant legs of his designer trousers wet and help fill sandbags, or pass out cold bottled water, or help the Salvation Army not only pass out meals but actually stand over a hot stove and help prepare something. He’s all show and no go. This is nothing but a PR strip and it’s way too little, way too late. Go ahead and knock yourself out govna.

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Jun 13, 08 @ 3:22 pm