KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Residents in three more northwest Missouri communities were told to evacuate Thursday morning after a levee breach.
The Atchison County Emergency Management office said that self-evacuations were in place for the Sugar Lake, Winthrop and Missouri Bottom areas after a levee breached north of U.S. 59 on the east side of the Missouri River.
Levee break near @CityofAtchison on the east side of the river. pic.twitter.com/ertI0vx16d
— KHP Air Support Unit (@KHPAircraft) March 21, 2019
On Thursday afternoon, water was beginning to come into Winthrop, though most people in the area had already left.
“We sat here and watched the levee actually break way, and I would say 45 minutes after that, the water is completely surrounding my trailer,” Winthrop resident Travis Bowen said.
His two acres of land looked more like a lake on Thursday.
“I’ve always wanted waterfront property. I just didn’t know I’d have to go about it this way,” he said.
Mary Ann Higley and her family were moving her nearly 80-year-old mother's belongings out of her Winthrop home.
“This is heartbreaking, I can tell you that. I just hope it don’t get in her house,” Higley said.
Her mother has survived flooding in the past, but Higley said this time, she might not go back to her home.
“If it gets in her house this time, she’s not coming back. She’s fine with that because, you know, you can only do this so many times," Higley said.
The National Weather Service said that U.S. 59 between Atchison, Kansas, and Mo. 273, including the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge, was closed as water quickly inundated the area.
In Atchison, law enforcement officials were watching water levels closely to determine if additional roads needed to be closed.
Take a look at how FAST the water is rushing down the Missouri River here in Atchison: @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/YazWlst4cp
— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) March 21, 2019
The American Red Cross plans to have an emergency shelter set up Friday morning at one of two churches in nearby Rushville, Missouri.
In Winthrop, people were trying to stay positive in a tough situation.
“You can always rebuild it," Bowen said. "You still have your life...and your livelihood."
