MOKANE - Multiple roads are still closed due to flooding in the southern part of the county, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.
As of Tuesday, the following Callaway County roads were inaccessible due to flooding:
Missouri 94, east of the U.S. 54/63 interchange.
Missouri 94 at Logan Creek, west of Portland.
Missouri 94, between Route PP and Steedman.
U.S. 63 Outer Road - north of Jefferson City to the U.S. 54/63 and Route W interchange north of the Missouri River (however, the closure does not affect U.S. 54/63, which remains open).
Route C in Mokane.
"Flooding is expected to continue and it is not known when the Missouri Department of Transportation will be able to reopen the roadway," said Adam Pulley, communications manager for MoDOT Central District. "MoDOT says travelers should use an alternate route and never drive through flooded roads."
The National Weather Service reported the Missouri River was at 31.9 feet at Jefferson City as of 8:45 a.m. Tuesday. Taking into account expected precipitation over the next 24 hours, the NWS predicts water levels will begin to slowly decrease over the next few days.
Flood stage is 23 feet, and the NWS estimates it'll take at least a week for the river to drop below that level.
Mokane residents may be inconvenienced due to the floodwater but seem to be largely handling it well, Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism said.
"Over the past several days, we've conducted frequent patrols of the area and had several casual contacts with local residents," he said Tuesday. "As many residents of the Mokane area have experienced major floods before, they are most familiar with dealing with the flooding situation."
The sheriff's office did respond to one report Friday of a stranded motorist on Route C.
"Upon the arrival of emergency responders, the vehicle had already been removed and it was verified the vehicle occupants were fine," Chism said.
Cleanup
Volunteer efforts continue in storm-damaged Jefferson City.
"With the continued effort to recover from the tornado, we are happy to announce that volunteers are now being officially requested,"
To help, call 211 or visit the volunteer reception center set up at the Capital Mall in the Sears wing (3600 Country Club Drive, Jefferson City).
Volunteers will receive a safety briefing and be assigned an area to assist and a job to do. Storm-damaged areas do hold potential hazards, including floodwater, downed power lines and carbon monoxide leaks inside damaged structures. It's important for volunteers to have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination.
People impacted by the recent storms may also call 211, operated by United Way, for referrals to area resources.