Recovery efforts are just beginning today in Doniphan and Van Buren, two Missouri towns that sit along the Current River and have seen massive devastation from high water levels, which broke century-old records.
More than 100 homes and 13 businesses were damaged or destroyed in Van Buren, according to initial assessments, said Carter County Sheriff Richard Stephens. Another 60 homes are damaged at Deer Run and officials are still assessing other areas of the western portion of the county, he said.
More than 20 businesses and churches at Doniphan were flooded and countless homes, according to residents and officials.
Sheriff's departments in both towns also were damaged by flooding.
Van Buren saw a crest of 37.2 feet at 7:45 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record was 29 feet, set in 1904. The river had fallen to about 12 feet by Tuesday morning and water had receded from the western portion of Van Buren.
Doniphan saw a crest of 33.13 feet at 10:30 a.m. Monday. It had a record of 26.8 feet set in 1904. The river remained above flood stage at approximately 25 feet today.
Flood stage is 20 feet at Van Buren and 13 feet in Doniphan.
The sight of downtown flooding moved mother and daughter Shawnee and Sammie Shelton to tears Sunday, as they watched water approaching the top of the Jolly Cone building where 18-year-old Sammie worked.
It was a devastating sight, said Shawnee, who owns a restaurant in the community with her husband. While their business and home was not affected, many friends and neighbors were, she said.
The Landing was among those businesses that will be shut down just as the busy summer tourism season is about the gear up.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage was done to the hotel and restaurant, said Tom Bedell. Water completely engulfed the ground floor rooms and was four feet deep in the second story, which included the restaurant, he said today.
The structural integrity of the building is in question and has to be assessed before any other decisions are made.
Bedell spent this morning calling people to cancel reservations, including those for weddings.
The Landing had one building, with 12 rooms and four suites, that was not affected and continues to operate, he said.
Friends and neighbors came out Sunday to help the Bedells clear out furniture and other items. It was a sight seen across the city.
The community has really come together, said Stephens and presiding commissioner Don Black.
The Van Buren Community Center has food, water and other supplies for residents in need, said Stephens. He asked that anyone wishing to help watch the Facebook pages for the Carter County EMD and Carter County Sheriff's Department for information. The sheriff's department was flooded and is operating from a mobile command center at the Van Buren school, which also received damage to its elementary school.
State Sen. Doug Libla toured the damage Sunday, while water was still up throughout the western half of the town. The flooding is unprecedented, Libla said.
Both Doniphan and Van Buren, as well as other areas, experienced problems with cell and land line phone service, power and water service.
Windstream said flood waters entered a power room at the Doniphan central office Sunday. It caused outages across the area.
The company has arranged for a temporary generator and hoped to restore services to customers mid-week.
Businesses damaged in Doniphan include Sonic, the Bank of Grandin, Rocky River Resort, D&D Tire, the sheriff's office and city hall, Emmanuel Baptist Church and others.
All emergency services are now being dispatched through the Ripley County Ambulance District. The numbers are 573-917-6404 and 573-917-6405.
Prospect News general manager Barbie Rogers contributed to this report.