Mills County Emergency Management would like to share the following status updates for the communities it serves…

News –
#1. Missouri River anticipated to crest at 29.4 ft. at the Plattsmouth Gauge on Thursday, 9/19. Residents located between Interstate 29 and the Missouri River, S. of Lambert Avenue (Plattsmouth Bridge Road) and possibly as far North as Highway 34 – should be on flood alert and be prepared to evacuate if needed. If help is needed for relocation, please contact the Communication Center at 712-527- 4871.

The major concern is the risk to roads/infrastructure in the area between Interstate 29 and the Missouri River, South of Lambert Avenue and possibly as far North as Highway 34. There are several county gravel roads that are closed this morning, primarily in the very Southwest portion of the County. We are closely monitoring just North of the Plattsmouth Bridge near the levee (Kane/Karnes/195th). 195th St. N. of Lambert is closed, however, this is a dead-end road. Road closures can be monitored at this site: https://www.iceasb.org/roads/county/mills

Currently the only areas of the Interstate that may be impacted by rising waters are I-680 and I-29 North of Council Bluffs.

Current River level is 28.47 ft. at 8:15 this morning and predictions indicate the River will not be below 27 ft. until 9/28/19. The US Army Corps of Engineers has repaired the inward levee breaches throughout the Mills County section of the Missouri River and they are monitoring these areas closely during this time of flooding. There is an outward breach located South of the Plattsmouth Bridge that is not repaired and is allowing water to access farm ground in that area. This is a link to video that was taken on Monday 9/16/19 and shows water movement in the breach area. https://drive.google.com/…/15FSs3fstYfvDSeKNvlqmJiAZ3…/view… We are noting increases in water accumulation – marshland now appearing as a lake – and movement of this water in a northward pattern. Water is moving North under Lambert Avenue (Plattsmouth Bridge Road). We are unsure what areas N. of Lambert Ave. will be affected but will continue to monitor closely.

#2. Gavin’s Point Dam to increase releases today. Current release level is 60,000 Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS). There will be an increase in releases today and over the next several days to handle increased rain in the northern Missouri River basin. These increases will create higher river levels as they pass through our area.

9/18/19 – 65,000 CFS
9/19/19 – 70,000 CFS
9/20/19 – 75,000 CFS
9/21/19 – 10/1/19 – 80,000 CFS

#3. Information Meeting Scheduled for County Residents (unincorporated area) participating in the Hazard Mitigation Program (Buy-outs). October 1st at 6:30 at the Glenwood High School Auditorium.

This meeting is being held at the request of several flood affected families who are in need of additional information. Questions are being collected in advance – email sherib@mcph.us so we can assure the correct people will be on hand to provide information. There will also be an opportunity to submit questions at the meeting. City of Pacific Junction residents interested in buyout are welcome to attend, however, Mills County is not the applying entity for these individuals.

#4. Sign up for ALERT Iowa.
Mills County is changing from Code Red to ALERT Iowa for emergency notification. Please take a moment and sign up for ALERT Iowa so your information is available in the event an emergency notification is needed. You can sign up at https://entry.inspironlogistics.com/mills_ia/wens.cfm or find more information on the Mills County EMA webpage – https://www.millscoia.us/index.php/depts/ema