By Dan Verbeck
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-975344.mp3
Parkville, MO – The Missouri River today rose over its banks at Parkville and poured into the English Landing Park adjacent the river. The downtown business district has been spared, thus far.
The gradual surge had been expected for weeks as the fast flowing water spilled over lips of its northern bank and into low spots of the park.
The city had been told to expect water up to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks. Only a higher surge would top the track and spill into parts of downtown. Sandbags and an artificial flood wall are hoped to keep water from spreading among buildings.
That same rail track has been quiet for days. The railroad shut down its sub line between Kansas City and St. Joseph. Rail spokesman Steve Forsberg says another line that goes through Colorado and Kansas is still serving Kansas City. Meanwhile, at mid afternoon BNSF trouble crews were closing a flood wall that keeps the Platte River from topping a levee along Missouri Highway 45 at Farley.
That work and Parkville's situation are first evidence of flooding very close to Kansas City.