In 1993 Alton had a very historic flood. The largest in our town's history. I remember the flood very vividly. Anheiser Busch trucked cans and large gallon jugs of water to a parking lot of a shopping plaza near our house. I remember droiving up there with my Mom and Dad and picking up our supply for that week. I remember drinking from the cans of water. I remember our water being shut off and showering at my Dad's work because it was the only way we could do it. When I was 10 going on 11, I thought it was cool. I knew the flood wasn't a good thing for lots of people...and having our water be out wasn't really good either...but there was something exciting about it all. It was an interesting summer of canned water, showers at Dad's work and just out of routine happenings. It was a big happening in our town's history. Today, when you drive through Alton and pass the Con Agra flour plant, you can see the large red painted line that shows us a reminder of just how far up the water really was. Just something interesting many kids my age can say they remember pretty clearly. Ever since that flood, whenever we hear there is going to be flooding, we pile in the car and take a drive to what it looks like...wondering if it'll end up being anything close to the craziness of the 93 summer flood.
The last few years we've gotten some minor flooding. I remember our last largest flood...it was before we had kids. Jeremy and I drove down, took Deci for a walk on the levee and took pics of the rising waters downtown. It's been a few years since we've had any real reason to drive down and survey the waters...but this summer (though it has just begun) has been very eventful!! We had some major flooding. Twice now the River Road has been closed from Alton to Grafton due to the river rising over the road.
Well this past weekend we got a round of very servere weaher...and there were tornadoes on the ground mere miles from our home. This severe weather was followed with torrential rains. Not only did our basements flood (Hannah thinking of you guys!!) but Alton's Riverfront swelled. Monday afternoon, Mom joined me on a ride with the boys to see the flood waters. We went across the river and even took a side road that leads to the Lock and Dam...which was barracaded off a short distance down the road. We drove past sand bags and I felt a slight sliver of fear. Owen was amazed by the whole thing and he kept talking about the waves and saving our town. I love that kid's imagination!!
The eery part was that this was only a few hours before there was a levee breach in West Alton and the southbound lanes of 367 were completely covered in river water. Now you can't even see the road signs below...and the northbound lane has been turned into 2 way traffic. Downtown Alton is a large mess with lots of business closed and despresately trying to keep water out of their basements pumping it out onto the streets.
I snaped a few of these pictures I sat in gridlock traffic on the way to work after the levee breach.
This is where my normal southbound lane of 367 is. Water all the way over it to the northbound side.
Where 367 splits after the Alton Bridge. You can see 367 begin to be covered in water.
If you are a short drive from the flood, it's quite a site to see and I would recommend making a trip out. When I was little I thought it was absolutely amazing. Now that I'm older I understand the danger in all of it...along with the amazement. I have a very healthy respect for the power of water, the river and mother nature in general. I am thankful we are blessed enough to be safe through all of this...and I pray for the business owners, workers and anyone else directly affected by the flooding.
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