On Saturday, December 26, 2015, FEMA Watch Operations sent an advisory for heavy rains and flooding.  The Regional Watch Team stated the potential for heavy rains over the next several days across parts of Missouri and southeast Kansas.  The December 26 forecast was for 2 to 6 inches of rain falling generally south of a line from Hannibal, Missouri to Kansas City to Chanute, Kansas.  Most of this area has received several periods of rain over the past month.  It was reported that rainfall of this amount will likely cause flooding of area waterways.  The National Weather Service predicted that numerous river gauges will rise above flood stage during the next week.  A flash flood watch was posted for this area.

On the morning of Sunday, December 27, 2015 the Regional Watch Center reported that rain has continued to fall in Missouri, and will fall into the evening hours.  Flooding has impacted southwest Missouri and areas have begun evacuations.

 On Monday, December 28, 2015 the Governor of Missouri issued a State of Emergency in response to the heavy rains and flooding that have occurred over a large part of the state.  The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) was activated to a level 1 - control center only.  Five Red Cross shelters were opened.  About 9,800 customers had lost power.  Interstates and local roads have been closed in flooded areas.

On Monday, December 28, 2015 EPA began communicating with Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) and US Coast Guard (USCG) regarding flood issues, specifically the risk to the Birds Point Levee in New Madrid, Missouri.

On December 30, 2015 MDNR SEOC activated to a level 3 24 hour/7 day response (24/7).  FEMA activated to a level 3 24/7 response as well.  FEMA notified EPA that they were issuing a Mission Assignment (MA) to mobilize to FEMA RRCC and perform ESF #10 functions.

1.1.1 Incident Category

Stafford Act response

1.1.2 Site Description

EPA has been given 1 ESF 10 (Hazardous Materials) Mission Assignment from FEMA to respond to the FEMA RRCC, a  EPA OSC has been deployed to the FEMA RRCC to staff the ESF#10 desk as a liaison.

1.1.2.1 Location

FEMA RRCC is located on Ward Parkway is south Kansas City, Missouri

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Flooding in areas in southeast Missouri

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results.

Continued coordination with MDNR

2.1.1 Narrative

FEMA has issued a mission assignment to EPA to staff the ESF#10 desk at the FEMA RRCC.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

As of December 31, 2015

MDNR:

MDNR reported they were monitoring several locations where water was cresting or forecasted to crest in the near future.  The Meramec River at Valley Park, Missouri is reaching its crest.  To the North of the Meramec and east of Highway 141 a retention pond that collects flood water.  The pump in the retention pond failed last night and water in the retention pond is close to overtopping.  If this occurs there will be flooding in an industrial area that sits between the Meramec River and the Levee.  This area is currently evacuated.  MDNR has contacted local businesses yesterday in the area to make sure they were prepared for flooding.  Businesses have elevated haz mat containers, local gas stations have filled their tanks, and ensured they were strapped down. 

 Birds Point Levee

The New Madrid Floodway at Birds Point Levee is forecasted to crest on January 5, 2016 at 59'.  Evacuation preparation is underway, however, there is only a low/moderate probability that the levee will be breached by the USACE.

The New Madrid Floodway Activation trigger is a minimum flood stage of 61' of the Mississippi River.  The current forecast is that the river will crest at 59'.

Part of the activation plan is that the USACE will prepare to blow the levee when the river reaches 59'.  USACE will load barges with explosives and position barges at Bird Point Levee.  The USACE is planning to begin loading barges on Friday, January 1 and will start movement on Saturday, January 2.  Transit time to Bird's Point is approximately 36 hours.  USCG will accompany the vessel.

USCG is conducting an overflight of the area today, and will share aerial reconnaissance photos with EPA.

USACE has been conducting public outreach in the area.  They scheduled a public meeting today and they are using social networking through the USACE Memphis District Facebook page to get the word out.

USCG recommended a joint call to discuss any possible outreach, reconnaissance, and/or response plans for oil & hazmat in the floodway.

MDNR SE District Office has a Multi-Agency Coordination Center established in Sikeston, Mo.

FEMA RRCC

Currently the RRCC is Activated to a Level 3 24/7 response.  USACE was activated by FEMA to the RRCC on December 30, 2015.  EPA was activated on December 31, 2015 to the FEMA RRCC

Weather Report:

Freezing fog for Kansas this morning.

Flood warnings continue in Southwest Missouri.

Approximately 184 counties have road closures, 5 major roads are closed in flooded areas.

14 flood related fatalities.

Meramec River:

Pacific and Eureka have crested and are on the way down.

Valley Park crested this morning and should be on the way down.

Arnold is expected to crest this afternoon.

Mississippi River:

River is on the rise, roadways have been impacted.

St Louis is on the way up, may crest on Saturday.

Chester is on the way up.

Cape Girardeau is on the way up, possible back water flooding issues.

Other news:

10 open shelters, 72 people are sheltered.

Missouri is the only state in the region currently activated.

Approximately 12 non-federal levees are overtopped.

Approximately 14 non-federal levees in danger of overtopping.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Staff the FEMA RRCC provide assistance as needed to the state.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues