Despite water receding, flooding persists on Route 3

The flooding that closed Route 3 south of Chester since last week persisted into early this week at Mary's River Bridge.

The Randolph County Emergency Services Disaster Agency closed the flood gates on Route 3 at Cora City and at Prairie du Rocher on April 1. On April 2 the Randolph County Board of Commissioners declared the county a disaster zone.

ESDA Public Information Officer Larry Willis said IDOT delivered 75 tons of sand to Kaskaskia Island and another 80 tons of sand to Prairie du Rocher, to hold back the floodwaters from the Mississippi River.

According to Willis, the National Weather Service's 90-day forecast indicate a 50-50 chance that the Mississippi River could hit 42.3 feet by June.

Flood stage at Chester is 27 feet. However, Willis said the riverbanks can take 38 to 39 feet before large problems ensue to populated area.

"So much of what happens down here in southern Illinois depends on what happens north of us, of course," Willis said. "There are blizzard predictions in North Dakota this week. So who knows what to expect down the line."