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Running head: 2015-16 MIDWEST FLOODS IN MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS, USA

2015-16 Midwest Floods in Missouri and Illinois, USA
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2015-16 MIDWEST FLOODS IN MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS, USA
PART 1: Analysis of the primary sections of the report
Executive Summary
After the winter storms that stuck in the Midwest, specifically in Illinois and Missouri,
the Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance (GEER) Association team was formed to
investigate the impact of the storm. The team was also commissioned to analyze the performance
of the systems put in place to control floods within the Illinois and Missouri regions. These
investigations were in collaboration with the United States Army Corps of Engineers as well as
the state and local agencies. There were 19 sites in total that were affected by the floods in
Illinois and Missouri (Harder, 2016).
Introduction
The main reason why the GEER Team was formed was to conduct reconnaissance to
study the operations of the levees during and after the flood event in Illinois and Missouri. Here,
two teams were formed to serve both states. They comprised of scientists and engineers. The
respective teams visited 11 sites in Illinois and 9 in Missouri, respectively. The Illinois Geer
Team visited the 11 sites intending to assess the geotechnical aspects of the performance of the
levees. Below are the specifications of the areas visited and the observations that were made.
1. The first site was Petersburg, IL, and the aspect of focus was flood fighting in the eastern
parts of the town to protect the Sangamon River.
2. Site number two was Oakford Special Levee and was investigated for erosion along the
levee.
3. The Tar Creek and Sangamon River were observed for levee overtopping and a bridge
and pump station that was washed out.
4. The North Sangamon River and Lattimore Creek were also investigated for overtopping
and breach of the levee.
5. Beardstown IL was observed for sinkholes that occurred below the streets.
6. The Hager Slough Levee had nearly 60 incidences of sand boils and crests.
7. Farmers and Herget were observed for occurrences of under seepage.
8. The features observed in Oakford Special Levee Scour Site were similar to site 2.
9. In South Beardstown IL, it was determined that relief wells be installed to reduce
incidences of sand boils.
10. There were several occurrences of sinkholes in Coal Creek.
11. It was observed that the Globe Breach was never repaired since July 2015.
The Missouri GEER Team toured nine sites within the state. However, one of the team members
visited three sites with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) team in addition to
the nine original sites. Below are the focus areas and the respective features observed.
1. It was determined that plywood and sandbags should be used to increase the height of the
levee in West Alton MO and Portage Des Sioux, MO.
2. West Alton, MO, had a levee breach.
3. Grafton IL, it was determined...