River threatens local towns (6/18/08)
Deanna Bellandi (AP)
Issue date: 6/18/08 Section: News
Low-lying river communities such as Pontoosuc in Hancock County, south of Henderson County, also were taking on water, said Hancock County spokeswoman Kathleen Dougherty.
"They were taking on water before anyone else was," Dougherty said.
Dougherty said some homes in the small community of Dallas City on the Mississippi River were flooded, the Fort Madison Bridge over the river was closed and other communities south along the river are sandbagging to try to keep the water out.
Last week, Blagojevich declared seven western Illinois counties disaster areas to speed up help from the state as they braced for advancing water. The seven counties were Adams, Calhoun, Hancock, Henderson, Mercer, Pike and Rock Island.
Ten other counties around the state also have been declared disaster areas because of flooding and storms.
Blagojevich activated an additional 400 Illinois National Guard troops Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,100 troops at the ready to help threatened communities. Illinois prison inmates were assisting with sandbagging too.
Seitz predicted it could take weeks to repair Henderson County's levee because they have to wait for the water to level out before they can pump out the floodwaters.
"This is not going to be fixed overnight," he said.
"They were taking on water before anyone else was," Dougherty said.
Dougherty said some homes in the small community of Dallas City on the Mississippi River were flooded, the Fort Madison Bridge over the river was closed and other communities south along the river are sandbagging to try to keep the water out.
Last week, Blagojevich declared seven western Illinois counties disaster areas to speed up help from the state as they braced for advancing water. The seven counties were Adams, Calhoun, Hancock, Henderson, Mercer, Pike and Rock Island.
Ten other counties around the state also have been declared disaster areas because of flooding and storms.
Blagojevich activated an additional 400 Illinois National Guard troops Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,100 troops at the ready to help threatened communities. Illinois prison inmates were assisting with sandbagging too.
Seitz predicted it could take weeks to repair Henderson County's levee because they have to wait for the water to level out before they can pump out the floodwaters.
"This is not going to be fixed overnight," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
kathy dougherty
posted 6/18/08 @ 11:22 PM CST
Although our fight isnt over with the Mississippi River, Id like to thank everyone and businesses from this area who have responded to our request for help by coming over to our small communities in Hancock County to help fill sandbags. (Continued…)
Richard
posted 11/17/08 @ 5:56 AM CST
Thank you very much for the love and support you have offered. This article is very informative. It will be good for us.The colour combination of your website is fantastic. (Continued…)
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