KIMMSWICK, Mo. — Parts of Kimmswick are seeing the effects of the flooding as of Sunday morning.
One area that is flooded is Highway K, which is one of the access ways into the city. An alternative route to get into town is Montabello Road. Luckily, though, residents and shops are being protected.
"This is a temporary levee, below it is a permanent about six feet high," explained Mayor Philip Stang.
The man-made levee was built by the community and is expected to withstand 46 feet of water.
"We're expecting there will be a 42-plus crest by late tonight or Monday," Stang added.
But just because there's water, he wanted to let everyone know Kimmswick is still open for business.
"We do have 26 shops and several restaurants and they will be more than happy to serve people today. So, any rumors that the city might be closed, it isn't," Stang said.
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According to Mayor Stang, the city is self-contained and it does not receive external revenues from real estate taxes. About 25% of the city's revenues come from a sales tax on the merchants and that's why it's so important to keep things up and running.
Smokee Robinson's is one business in town that's directly next to the levee. Employees were up bright and early to go to work Sunday.
"We rely a lot, I mean that’s our business, we’re a little town. I mean a little business town. We need a lot more people to come down here and help us out," said Smokee Robinson's wwner Michael Robinson.
While business is still open, Stang hopes the flooding won't get as bad as it did three years ago.
"We anticipate or hope this won't be any worse than that. We don't want it to win second place, it can stay in third all it likes," he said.
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