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Monkey Run, MO - 25 years after the Flood 93


Monkey Run, MO 25 years after the Flood of 1993.{ } Phot by: Chad Douglas/KHQA{p}{/p}{p}{/p}{p}{/p}{p}{/p}{p}{/p}
Monkey Run, MO 25 years after the Flood of 1993. Phot by: Chad Douglas/KHQA

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In 1973, KHQA's Chad Douglas' parents, Gary and Sandy Douglas bought a little house in a community called Monkey Run, just south of Hannibal.

About 30 days after moving in, they, and an infant (Chad's older brother) had to move out because the Mighty Mississippi crept out of its banks and onto the doorstep of their home.

20 years later, they were about 30 days from moving out of Monkey Run when the river did it again.

This time though, the murky Mississippi waters went past the doorstep, and made it's way into the house.

"It was great. Peaceful. Everybody knew everybody," said Gary Douglas.

That's Chad's dad, Gary Douglas talking about Monkey Run.

"It was really nice. You didn't worry about nothing...except the river," says Douglas.

The river was just feet from several homes in Monkey Run. Most of the time, it stayed in its banks and did what it was supposed to do. But occasionally, it crept out of its banks, and sprawled across people's yards. The worst it ever got was in 1993. Dad remembers what it was like when my family moved out.

"Wow. Hectic. It was just coming up so quick. I think we grabbed the big stuff, like the furniture, and headed out of here," says Douglas.

That was around July 1st of 93. The night before, the area got about 6 inches of rain, and everyone knew things were about to get serious. It was that way for most of the month of July.

"The day the Sny Levee breakage, my nephew and I came down here in a boat. The Sny Levee broke that day, adn the next day, I drove down here in my truck. It was like somebody pulled a plug," says Douglas.

There it is, the home where I grew up. It's now the only house on this street now. There used to be a house here, here, and there. But like everything in 25 years, things have changed quite a bit here after the federal government bought out several homes.

One of the people who is helping take care of Monkey Run now is Charley Garthhoeffer...aka The Missouri Grasshopper.

"I keep it cut down pretty good, and trim it up pretty good," says Garthhoeffer.

Garthhoeffer is one of a handful of Monkey Run residents who lease plots of land from Ralls County for a dollar a year.

"To make it look better. To maintain it. Like I said, it keeps me busy," says Garthhoeffer.

Neighbors tell me it's rare to find Garthhoeffer without a mower, weed trimmer, or chainsaw in his hands. He's relatively new to Monkey Run. He's lived here about five or six years, but it's nice to see the feel of that community is alive and well 25 years later.

In 93, about two foot of water got into my family's home...Which is the first time that had happened.

Here's a quick reminder that every Monday night at 6:00, KHQA is showcasing the 25th anniversary of the Flood of 93.

And there is a half hour show planned Monday, July 16th at 6:00pm.

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