---
author: Eric Wagoner
date: '2000-05-09T01:51:11'
draft: false
title: More Missouri flood coverage. One
---

[More Missouri flood coverage.](http://www.post-dispatch.com/postnet/stories.nsf/ByDocID/5FDE4C0A10644611862568DA00097ADE) One of the victims, [Wilbern Banderman](http://www.post-dispatch.com/postnet/stories.nsf/ByDocID/F6B555A24DACF331862568DA0009776D), died just around the corner from my parents' house. The bridge he was crossing, described in the story as "a low-water bridge" is really just a concrete ford across a small, lazy stream. When we'd have out-of-state visitors in town, they'd always use that bridge as an example of how rural our area was. For those of you wondering, my parents' property is at the confluence of three creeks, but is on the safe high side. The "flood plain" across the water is a neighbors' hay field. Ordinarily, the creeks are fun trickles. Minnows, crawdads, lazy pools just right for getting your toes wet. Hopping frogs. Tadpoles. Water skeeters. After a good thunderstorm, though, the water'd kill you in a moment. I can't imagine what it looks like after 14-18 inches of rain.