Northeast Mo Highway Now Fully Open

MoDOT reports the final stretch of Route 79 has reopened after numerous closures due to flooding.The portion of Missouri 79 in Pike County, north of Annada reopened Friday.  Scenic Route 79 is now fully open between Hannibal and St. Charles.

The highway which follows the Mississippi River, experienced many closures during major spring flooding, particularly in the Louisiana and Clarksville areas of Pike County.

A portion of the highway just south of Hannibal was also closed for a time during the height of the Mississippi River flooding.

Officials in Hannibal are closely monitoring the river level in hopes of removing the flood gates soon. The gates have been in place since flooding began in March. The flood also halted progress on Hannibal's multi-million dollar riverfront renovation project.

Technical flood stage in Hannibal is 16 feet on the Mississippi. As of Saturday morning, the stage was 18.66 feet. The swollen river rose to 30.16 feet at Hannibal on June 2, 2019;  the second highest stage ever recorded.  The record occurred during the flood of 1993, when the Mississippi crested at 31.8 feet.