The second-worst flood in history is bad enough, but when the skies cloud up it can be a double whammy.
Clarksville is picking up from a storm that blew through with heavy rain and high winds Saturday night.
Bud Garrison had to boat over a flooded Highway 79 to reach his house, where a flood-soaked oak tree he estimates at 100 years old was felled by winds.
The Clarksville Apartments along First Street were damaged when debris kicked up by what witnesses called tornadic-like winds landed on the roof.
There were no injuries or evacuations, but downed lines left more than 100 residents in the Clarksville and Paynesville areas without electricity. Ameren Missouri crews were on the scene Sunday to restore power.
The river level stood Sunday at just over 37 feet and is expected to crest Monday around that mark. Volunteers have built a sandbag levee to withstand a 38-foot level.
If the prediction holds, Clarksville will have had seven of its top 10 floods in the last 18 years. Highway 79 is closed in six Pike County locations and the Champ Clark Bridge at Louisiana remains closed due to flooding on the Illinois approach.
CUTLINE FOR PHOTO:
Clarksville resident Bud Garrison paddles over a flooded Highway 79 to reach his house, where a fierce storm Saturday night downed what he believes was a 100-year-old oak tree in his yard (seen at right). The high winds also damaged buildings and downed power lines. Ameren Missouri crews were restoring power Sunday.