Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Dutchtown, Missouri - Nearly 50 National Guardsman with the 1140th Engineer Battalion headquartered in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and four different units across Southeast Missouri are on hand in Dutchtown to help with flooding efforts.
The ShowMe Times was able to contact Michelle Queiser, Missouri National Guard’s Public Affairs Representative on site in Dutchtown today. She gave us an update on the flooding situation and the Guard’s flood prevention efforts.
Michelle stated, "On Monday they spent the day sandbagging along Highway 74 and numerous homes as well. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDot) offered 10-foot concrete barriers and the National Guard transported those barriers from Sikeston to Dutchtown. They have created an 880-foot wall and fortified it with sandbags along Highway 74."
"Today they are constructing a concrete wall at the highway 74/25 intersection near Dutchtown. The Guard has put in place nine concrete barriers along the corner to keep headwater from coming into the town. They should complete that project today along with fortifying the man-made concrete barrier with sandbags."
Michelle was able to find Staff Sergeant Justin Bickings of Cape Girardeau on site and he spoke to us briefly, “I have been assigned as Liaison Officer to coordinate with the citizens of Dutchtown, Emergency Management and the Guard so people can easily communicate and get the help they need to protect their homes and family quickly and efficiently.
“We are here for flood prevention. We are placing concrete barriers around the town along with sandbags to prevent flooding of homes and businesses. The Mississippi River is expected to crest at 42 feet on Thursday. If that prediction holds then we feel the Dutchtown community will be safe."
The 1140th Engineer Battalion will remain on stand-by Thursday and possibly Friday at the armory in Cape Girardeau. They will still have much to do before going home with cleaning of equipment and gear.
The Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross assisted the Missouri National Guard to help with sandbagging efforts to protect the low-lying town from backwaters of the Diversion Channel, which is being pushed out of its banks by the rising Mississippi River. Also a group of Junior ROTC students from Charleston, Missouri were on hand to help with sandbagging efforts. The Dutchtown citizens appreciate all the help they are receiving from the area.
Emergency Management Coordinator, Mr. Doyle Parmer is also on-site to oversea the progress of the Missouri National Guard. He is extremely pleased with their efforts and expects the town to be saved.
Parmer stated, “It is a relief to have the Missouri National Guard help the town with flood relief efforts.” He put the request for assistance in the early Sunday morning hours and in less than 12 hours he had soldiers responding to his call. “How can you ask for anything better than that? It was a miracle answer for them to be here this week.”
“With the guardsmen here days before the river is predicted to crest the town can have the chance to save homes, roads and their lives,” continued Parmer.
Specialist Charles Friedrich of Cape Girardeau was deployed to help fill sandbags to help with the flood relief efforts. “It feels good to help out,” said Friedrich. “It’s nice to be ahead of the waters.” Friedrich said. "it doesn’t feel as hectic and rushed and the soldiers can do their job efficiently. It doesn’t feel like we are racing against time. Its good to be proactive instead of reactive.”
The Mississippi River will crest 10 feet above flood stage on Thursday at Cape Girardeau.
For more information and photos go to their Facebook page, FSC, 1140th Engineer Battalion.
