Flooding in Illinois, March 1 to 31, 1997

A massive flood crest moved down the Ohio River during the first few weeks of March. Around 10 inches of rain fell in the middle Ohio River Valley from the Louisville area to Cincinnati within a one to three day period. This resulted in the worst river flood in about 30 years along the Illinois shore, and one of the five worst on record. Riverfront neighborhoods in Metropolis were evacuated, and the riverboat casino was briefly shut down. Smaller communities protected by levies or floodwalls, such as Brookport and Old Shawneetown, fared better. A mechanical problem with a valve in Brookport allowed Ohio River water to back into the town, causing tens of thousands of dollars in property damage there. Massive sandbag levees were constructed by volunteers in most unprotected riverfront communities, including Metropolis, Ridgway, Elizabethtown, and Omaha. A towboat struck the Shawneetown bridge, prompting its closure until it could be inspected. A voluntary evacuation of Old Shawneetown was conducted. The levee protecting the town developed a few seeps, but no major leaks were observed. A total of about 50 families were displaced by flooding in Gallatin County, mainly from the towns of Junction, Equality, and New Haven. Numerous county roads were closed near the river, including 52 just in Gallatin County alone. All but one road into the town of Junction was flooded. A few state highways, such as Illinois Route 1 in Gallatin County, were closed by high water. In Pope County, between 30 and 50 families were affected by flooding of the Ohio River or Lusk Creek, which flows into the Ohio at Golconda. About 50 Massac County families were forced out of their homes by the Ohio River or Mud Creek, which runs through the center of Metropolis into the Ohio. In Pulaski County, the flood forced the temporary abandonment of the Olmsted Lock and Dam construction project. Engineers decided to let water flood the project area, which had been protected by a cofferdam. If floodwater had crested over the top of the cofferdam, it could have undermined the structure. About 250 workers were laid off when the project was halted. Water backed up the Saline River from the Ohio River, causing problems as far inland as Harrisburg in Saline County. A mud slide at the old Lock and Dam 51 site demolished the office area and heavily damaged other buildings. In Hardin County, the Saline River flooded about 34 homes and forced workers to rescue two people in Saline Landing. The following are specific river crest heights and the flood stages for various points: Shawneetown crested at 54.40 (flood stage 33 feet), Brookport crested at 53.60 feet (flood stage is 37 feet), and Cairo crested at 56.20 feet (flood stage is 40 feet). The crest occurred on the 11th or 12th at all points.