The Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management has received six damage reports to homes and businesses impacted by the flooding on Sunday. Parts of east and central Springfield received between six and seven inches of rain.
According to the city, while damage costs are not projected to meet qualifications for FEMA assistance, those who reports flood damage to OEM at info@greenecountyoem.org can tap into OEM’s volunteer resources for clean-up assistance.
Springfield-Greene County 911 Emergency Communications received nearly 70 flooding-related 911 calls from 5 pm Sunday until 1 am Monday, according to director Zim Schwartz.
City officials say the Springfield Fire Department and partner fire agencies performed 48 water rescues in the city limits at a total cost of just over $11,000 to the department in staff time and equipment costs.
Several roads remained closed in Springfield as of yesterday afternoon:
Rockaway Street from Cherry Street to Old Orchard Avenue
• Belcrest Avenue from Grand Street to Loren Street
• Villa Rose Avenue from Cherry Street to just north of the S curve
• Glendale Avenue from Seminole Street to Kirkwood Street
• Manchester Street from Glendale Avenue to just west of Clayton Avenue
• Catalpa Street from Marlan Avenue to Barnes Avenue
• Monroe Terrace from Oak Grove Avenue to Old Orchard Avenue
• Cavalier Avenue from Cherry Street to 530 S. Cavalier Avenue.
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is offering tips for cleaning up after the floods and say you should use caution.
According to the department, floodwater can contain contaminants and unseen hazards.
Items to toss: food items that have been in contact with floodwater, wooden kitchen items, leather or paper products and medicines and cosmetics.
Bedding and other soft items should be washed in hot water with bleach.
Items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned, such as mattresses and upholstered furniture, should be air dried--ideally in the sun—and then sprayed thoroughly with a disinfectant.
Take special care with children’s toys, utensils, dishware and other small items: wash with soap and water and then disinfect by immersing for one minute in a solution of four tablespoons of bleach to two gallons of water.
Pots and pans can be sterilized by boiling them for at least 10 minutes.
Items that are too large to immerse, or surfaces like walls, decking and doors should be washed with soap and water and then wiped down with a solution of one cup of bleach to one gallon of water.
When cleaning up, wear rubber gloves and rubber boots, use eye protection and a mask while cleaning with bleach solutions. Be sure your home or business is well ventilated.
And health officials say to make sure your tetanus vaccine is up to date. The bacteria that cause tetanus can get into the body through a puncture, cut, or sore of the skin via soil or muddy water.
To avoid electrical shock and damage to items, be sure any electrical appliances that have been in contact with floodwater are thoroughly cleaned, reconditioned and dry before operating them.
