Update April 30 at 10:30 p.m.
 
Sikeston, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Transportation has closed several state routes in Southeast Missouri due to the recent flooding.

In addition, motorists are encouraged to watch for flash flooding. This could cause water to quickly rise in areas that were previously safe. MoDOT crews will continually monitor state routes, but motorists are also urged to stop and turn around if they discover a roadway has high water.  

Routes that are closed include:

Bollinger County:

Route DD-near Route 34 to 5 miles south of Route M (the near Bollinger/Madison County line)
Route H-north of Route 51
Route 51-near Route H
Route 91-Castor River Diversion Channel from Route T to Outer 91
Butler County:

Route 158-from Route 142 to US 67
Route 142-Route B in Ripley County to Route 142 in Butler County
Route N-CRD 243 to CRD 232
Route PP-at Cane Creek; CRD 449 to CRD 423/Route TT
Route W-CRD 542 to Route O; near Hilliard
Route M-at Cane Creek; west of US 67
Route JJ-west of River Road
Route O-north of CRD 502
Cape Girardeau County:

Route OO-from Route HH to CRD 375
Route A-from CRD 255 to Route U and at Route F
Route N-from Route U to Route NN and CRD 253 to CRD 254
Route F-at Route A
Route HH-from Route OO to end of state maintenance
Route U-from Route T to Route A
Carter County:

Business 60-at Van Buren; near James Street
Route 103-from Skyline Drive to Route Z
Route Z-from Route 103 to end of state maintenance
Route M-at Mill Creek and near Van Buren, Mo. at CRD 100
Route Y
Route K-between CRD 263 and CRD 239-2
Douglas County:

Route 76-at Fox Creek near Route 95 to east of Route C and from Route EE to Route 95
Route EE-at North Fork River; near Route AD
Route FF-at Hunter Creek; near Route 14
Route U-at Bryant Creek; south of Olathia
Route Y-at Cowskin Creek; approximately 3.5 miles after Route 76
Route 14-from Route 95 at Gentryville to Route AC
Route C-between CRD C-128 to just past the Wright/Douglas County line
Route W-near Route 95 at Vanzant to Route AH
Route AB-at Vera Cruz Access
Howell County:

Route 142-Route E to Route FF
Route UU-from Route 63 to east of CRD 2150
Route U-from Route UU to Route N
Route 63-from West Plains to south of Willow Springs, Mo.
Route 17-from Mountain View to Route 160
Route N-Northwest of Mountain Grove; between Shady Oak Road and Peterson Road
Route CC-from Dora, Mo. in Ozark County to Route AD in Howell County
Route AP-from Route 14 to Route P
Iron County:

Route 21-near Route 49
Route 221-Low Water Crossing-Pilot Knob to the Iron/St. Francois County line-LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY
Route 49-near Sabula; north of Annapolis and at Viburnum, near Red Bud
Route C-east of Route 49 to west of CRD 424 in Madison County
Route D
Route F-at Crane Pond Creek
Route 143-Route 34 in Wayne County to Route 49 in Iron County
Madison County:

Route C-east of Route 49 in Iron County to west of CRD 424 in Madison County and from CRD 445 to CRD 431
Route E-CRD 511 to CRD 515
Route O-from Route E to end of state maintenance
Route V-CRD 243 to Route F
Oregon County:

Route 99-at Eleven Point River at Thomasville, Mo.
Route 142-from CRD 243 to CRD 280; west of Calm/Route UU
Route 19-at Eleven Point River north of Greer and at Hurricane Creek at the Shannon/Oregon County line
Route M-near Elliot Ford; between CRD 347 and CRD 349 and at Route DD at Rover
Route Y-at Frederick Creek; between CRD 237 and CRD 242
Route 160-east of Route Y at Riverton
Ozark County:

Route 181-from Route H at Crossroads to Route N
Route 95-at Bryant Creek; between CRD 164 and CRD 156 and at Spring Creek; between CRD 136 and CRD 138
Route T-between CRD 518 and CRD 527
Route H-from CRD 352 to CRD 346
Route 160-at Route 95, Lutie, Mo. and at Norfolk Lake at Tecumseh
Route JJ-from CRD 920 to CRD 916 at Thornfield, Mo.
Route CC-from Dora, Mo. in Ozark County to Route AD in Howell County
Route J-Lick Creek; north of Howards Ridge
Route PP-North Fork River; near Route 160
Route EE-from Route O to end of state maintenance
Route N-near CRD 142 to the Ozark/Douglas County line
Route O-from Route 101 at Bakersfield to end of state maintenance
Route V-from Route O to US 160
Perry County:

Route 61-from CRD 506 to CRD 502
Route E-from CRD 534 to CRD 322
Route AA-between CRD 508/510 and CRD 522
Route A-from Wittenberg to CRD 448
Route B-from Route K to CRD 502
Reynolds County:

Route 106-from west of Ellington in Reynolds County to near Current River in Shannon County (east of Route H)
Route F-at Logan Creek
Route K-east of Route O to west of CRD 440
Route N-near Route MM; near Johnson Shut-Ins
Route B-CRD 786 to CRD 785 and CRD 758
Route P-Route 72 to end of state maintenance in Shannon County
Route HH-from Route RA in Reynolds County to Tacketts Pocket near Piedmont in Wayne County
Ripley County:

Route 142-near Oxly; west of Route T and at Doniphan, Mo.
Route NN-near North Prong Little Black River
Route 21-in Doniphan, Mo.
Route A-near 21S-3 to CRD A-7
Route Y-from Pumpkin Patch Road to CRD Y-3
Route 160-at Current River near Doniphan, Mo.
Route K-from CRD K-3 to CRD K-4
Scott County:

Route A-Route 61 to Route EE
Route E-at Commerce
Shannon County:

Route H- Route 106 to Winona, Mo.
Route KK-Piatt Road to Route K at Akers
Route W
Route NN
Route P
Route 19-from CRD 324 to 19B; north of Round Spring and at Hurricane Creek at the Shannon/Oregon County line
Route F
Route 106-East of Eminence, Mo. and at Spring Valley Creek; east of Summersville and near Current River (east of Route H) to west of Ellington in Reynolds County and from Alley Spring to Route E (due to slide)
Route MM-Route 99 to CRD 651
Route T-at Spring Creek
Route TT-Low Water Crossing located east of TT-683
Route 99-at Spring Creek; north of Route MM
Route M-from Route 60 to end of state maintenance
St. Francois County:

Route 221-at St. Francis River from Beal Road to Old Logging Road
Route F-near OO; from Old Jackson Road to Best Road
Ste. Genevieve County:

Route 61-Saline Creek/River Aux Vases; near Route U at St. Mary to 2.12 miles south of Route M
Route 32-from Gisi Road to Siebert Road
Route C-near Sprott Road
Stoddard County:

Route K-from Route BB to Route V
Route M-at Leora; near Route K
Route T-from Route 51 to Cobb
Route O-east of Advance; near CRD 310
Texas County:

Route BB-at Boiling Spring Access/Big Piney River
Route 32-from Hillcrest Road to Mason Drive
Route AF-from Hazelton Drive to end of state maintenance
Route F-at Houston; between 4th Street and Oak Hill Drive
Wayne County:

Route C-CRD 224A to Route 34
Route 143-Route 34 in Wayne County to Route 49 in Iron County
Route FF-CRD 378 to CRD 380
Route KK-south of CRD 456
Route 34-at St. Francis River Bridge; from Route 143 to CRD 310 (west of US 67)
Route A-at Otter Creek; near Route V
Business 67-from Route D to US 67; near Greenville, Mo.
Route 49-from Mill Spring, Mo. to CRD 440
Route HH-from Route RA in Reynolds County to Tacketts Pocket near Piedmont in Wayne County
Route D-at East Fork Lost Creek
Wright County:

Route AB-Wolf Creek; near Adamson Road
Route E-Gasconade River; from Robinette Drive to north of Broyles Road
Route Z-Elk Creek-between Emmerson Road and Clayton Road
Route C-between CRD C-128 to just past the Wright/Douglas County line
Motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution and plan alternate routes.

MoDOT also offers the following driving tips that can help avoid delays and unsafe conditions during rainy weather:

Turn on your headlights when windshield wipers are needed. It's the law.
Slow down, use caution, and don't use cruise control when driving in rain to avoid skidding and hydroplaning.
Leave plenty of following distance behind the vehicle in front of yours.
Never move or drive around barricades placed on roadways due to high water. Barricades are a warning designed to protect you from an unsafe condition. You can put yourself at serious risk if you proceed into a flooded section of road.
If a road is closed, find another route.
Do NOT drive into high water. Stop and turn around. Notify local police, the sheriff or the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
"Turn Around - Don't Drown" as highways become impassable.
For more information, please contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636)

Flooded Roads in Southeast Missouri

Update April 30 at 7:30 a.m.

SIKESTON – The Missouri Department of Transportation has closed several state routes in Southeast Missouri due to the recent flooding. In addition, motorists are encouraged to watch for flash flooding. This could cause water to quickly rise in areas that were previously safe. MoDOT crews will continually monitor state routes, but motorists are also urged to stop and turn around if they discover a roadway has high water.   Routes that are closed include: Bollinger County: Route DD-near Route 34 to 5 miles south of Route M (the near Bollinger/Madison County line) Route H-north of Route 51 Butler County: Route 158-from Route 142 to US 67 Route N-CRD 243 to CRD 232 Route PP-at Cane Creek; CRD 449 to CRD 423/Route TT Route W-CRD 542 to Route O; near Hilliard Route M-at Cane Creek; west of US 67 Cape Girardeau County:  Route OO-from Route HH to south of CRD 382 Route A-from CRD 255 to Route U Carter County:  Route M-at Mill Creek Route Y Route H-at Big Brushy Creek between CRD 339 to CRD 327 Route K-between CRD 263 and CRD 239-2 Douglas County:  Route 76-near Route 95 to east of Route C Route EE-at North Fork River; near Route AD Route FF-at Hunter Creek; near Route 14 Route U-at Bryant Creek; south of Olathia Route Y-at Cowskin Creek; approximately 3.5 miles after Route 76 Route 14-at Bryant Creek between CRD 14-223 and CRD 14-331 Route C-between CRD C-128 to just past the Wright/Douglas County line Howell County: Route 142-Route E to Route FF Route UU-from Route 63 to east of CRD 2150 Route U-from Route UU to Route N Route 63-from West Plains to south of Willow Springs, Mo. Route 17-from Mountain View to Route 160 Route N-Northwest of Mountain Grove; between Shady Oak Road and Peterson Road Iron County:  Route 21-near Route 49 Route 221-Low Water Crossing-Pilot Knob to the Iron/St. Francois County line-LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY Route 49-near Sabula; north of Annapolis and at Viburnum, near Red Bud Route C-east of Route 49 to west of CRD 424 in Madison County Route D Route F-at Crane Pond Creek Route 143-Route 34 in Wayne County to Route 49 in Iron County Madison County: Route C-east of Route 49 in Iron County to west of CRD 424 in Madison County and from CRD 445 to CRD 431 Route E-CRD 511 to CRD 515 Route O Route V-CRD 243 to east of Route F Route A-west of Marquand, Mo. Route DD-from CRD 324 to CRD 322 Route F-south of Cornwall; at Route V Route M- west of Marquand, Mo. Route Z-at Fredericktown, Mo. between Chamber Drive and Cap America Drive Oregon County:  Route 99-at Eleven Point River at Thomasville, Mo. Route 142-at Eleven Point River; west of Calm/Route UU Route 19-at Eleven Point River north of Greer and north of Thayer at Warm Fork and at Hurricane Creek at the Shannon/Oregon County line Route A-at Frederick Creek; between CRD 212 and CRD 203 Route M-near Elliot Ford; between CRD 347 and CRD 349 Route Y-at Frederick Creek; between CRD 237 and CRD 242 Ozark County: Route 181-at Bryant Creek at Sycamore Route 95-at Bryant Creek; between CRD 164 and CRD 156 and at Spring Creek; between CRD 136 and CRD 138 Route T-between CRD 518 and CRD 527 Route H-from CRD 352 to CRD 346 Route 160-at Route 95, Lutie, Mo. and at Norfolk Lake at Tecumseh Route JJ-from CRD 920 to CRD 916 at Thornfield, Mo. Route CC-at North Fork River Route J-Lick Creek; north of Howards Ridge Route PP-North Fork River; near Route 160 Perry County: Route 61-from CRD 506 to CRD 502 Route E-from CRD 534 to CRD 322 Route F Route M Reynolds County:  Route 106-Logan Creek; CRD 608 to Route B and CRD 606 to near Route F Route F-at Logan Creek Route K-east of Route O to west of CRD 440 Route N-near Route MM; near Johnson Shut-Ins Route B-CRD 786 to CRD 785 Route P-Route 72 to end of state maintenance in Shannon County Ripley County:  Route 142-near Route T Shannon County:  Route H- Route 106 to Winona, Mo. Route KK-Piatt Road to Route K at Akers Route W Route NN Route P Route 19-from CRD 324 to 19B; north of Round Spring and at Hurricane Creek at the Shannon/Oregon County line Route F Route 106-East of Eminence, Mo. and at Spring Valley Creek Route MM-Route 99 to CRD 651 Route T-at Spring Creek Route TT-Low Water Crossing located east of TT-683 Route 99-at Spring Creek; north of Route MM St. Francois County:  Route 221-at St. Francis River from Beal Road to Old Logging Road Route F-near OO; from Old Jackson Road to Best Road Ste. Genevieve County:  Route 61-Saline Creek/River Aux Vases; near Route U at St. Mary to 2.12 miles south of Route M Route 32-from Gisi Road to Siebert Road Route C-near Sprott Road Stoddard County:  Route K-from Route BB to Route M Texas County:  Route BB-at Boiling Spring Access/Big Piney River Route M-near Roubidoux Creek Route U-near South Prong Jack’s Fork Route 32-from Hillcrest Road to Mason Drive Route 17-from Ridge Road to Lily Road; near Route 63 at Houston, Mo. Wayne County:  Route C-CRD 224A to Route 34 Route 143-Route 34 in Wayne County to Route 49 in Iron County Route FF-CRD 378 to CRD 380 Route KK-south of CRD 456 Route 34-at St. Francis River Bridge; west of Route 67 Route A-at Otter Creek; near Route V Wright County:  Route AB-Wolf Creek; near Adamson Road Route E-Gasconade River; from Robinette Drive to north of Broyles Road Route Z-Elk Creek-between Emmerson Road and Clayton Road Route M-at Parks Creek; between Orchard Road and Hunters Creek Road Route N-between Shady Oak Road and Peterson Drive Route C-between CRD C-128 to just past the Wright/Douglas County line Motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution and plan alternate routes. MoDOT also offers the following driving tips that can help avoid delays and unsafe conditions during rainy weather: Turn on your headlights when windshield wipers are needed. It's the law. Slow down, use caution, and don't use cruise control when driving in rain to avoid skidding and hydroplaning. Leave plenty of following distance behind the vehicle in front of yours. Never move or drive around barricades placed on roadways due to high water. Barricades are a warning designed to protect you from an unsafe condition. You can put yourself at serious risk if you proceed into a flooded section of road. If a road is closed, find another route. Do NOT drive into high water. Stop and turn around. Notify local police, the sheriff or the Missouri State Highway Patrol. "Turn Around - Don't Drown" as highways become impassable. For more information, please contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636)

Dexter, Missouri - On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Dexter Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 13th opportunity in 7 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Bring your pills for disposal to the police station at 305 Cooper Street.  (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.)  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds—more than 3,500 tons—of pills. 

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 29 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website or call the Dexter Police Department at 624-5512.

The Dexter Police Department is located at 305 Cooper Street.

Bernie, Missouri - The Bernie Police Department is sponsoring a "Prescription Drug Take Back Event" in conjunction with the Bernie Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri Rural Water Association on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

You can bring your unused or unwanted prescription medication to the Walgreens Parking Lot located at 116 S. Walnut St on Hwy 25 in Bernie.

"Let's all do our part in properly disposing of these drugs.  Proper disposal of these medications will prevent possible misuse and will also keep them from harming the environment in which we live," stated Justin Allen, Chief of Police, Bernie Police Department.

Dexter Police Department’s Youth Alcohol Enforcement Campaign Joins National Crackdown
To Reduce Drunk Driving Fatalities

‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign Will Target Substance–Impaired Drivers.

Dexter, Missouri - Local and state law enforcement will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide May/Youth Alcohol Enforcement Crackdown “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance–impaired driving crackdown. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Dexter, will run from May 4-15, 2017.

The effective nationwide substance–impaired driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement, high-profile events, and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb substance–impaired driving during the enforcement period.
Dexter Police said its Officers will be aggressively looking for substance–impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired.

Although it is illegal in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive impaired (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or other illegal drugs. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving epidemic.

“Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance- impaired drivers or motorcycle operators,” said Chief Sammy Stone.   “In 2016, 196 people were killed and 652 seriously injured on Missouri’s roadways in crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver.” That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driver involved fatality every (2) two days.

Chief Stone added the St. Patrick’s Day holiday is particularly dangerous. During the Youth Alcohol Enforcement Campaign May 5 - 16, 2016, 10 people were seriously injured involving at least one substance-impaired driver that was under 21 years of age.
Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign reduces substance–impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make [Local Area]’s roadways safer for everyone throughout the holiday,” said Chief Stone.
 
“We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does being under the influence impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive. If you have any doubt about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. If you do chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses,” Chief Stone said.

Chief Stone noted that being arrested for driving under the influence of any substance brings a wide range of negative consequences into one’s life. Substance–impaired drivers face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of their job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.

“Driving while impaired is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’” said Chief Stone.