A Pulaski County, Missouri, official said “Devil’s Elbow is gone” during a county commission meeting Monday to assess record flooding in the region.
Pulaski County Emergency Manager Lawson “Smitty” Smith made that pronouncement about the Route 66 village after the Big Piney River saw record flood levels, according to a report in the Waynesville Daily Guide.
The story contained more details of the damage from Smith and county commissioner Gene Newkirk:
Smith said the water in Devils Elbow rose up over the historical Route 66 Devils Elbow bridge and hit the roof of the Elbow Inn.
Newkirk said a house “came loose” and crashed into another house. The Daily Guide received a submitted photo of Sheldon’s Market immersed in water, as well as other photos from Devils Elbow residents of the flood water as it began to rise.
KSPR-TV in Springfield, Missouri, posted a video report from Devil’s Elbow on Monday after the floodwaters went down.
One resident told the station eight feet of water inundated her home. She also said the historic Shelden’s Market, aka Miller’s Market, never before had water in the building, and it too became waterlogged.
Jax Welborn, a photographer who lives in the region, posted this video from the Devil’s Elbow Bridge. Take note of all the debris — some of it undoubtedly remnants of destroyed houses — jammed against one side of the bridge.
More Devil’s Elbow footage from Welborn:
Driving into Devil’s Elbow isn’t advisable. Via this photo from Pulaski County Emergency Management, floodwaters washed out Route 66 on the west side of town:
The Elbow Inn posted this message on its Facebook page on Monday night:
We want to thank ALL who have reached out and offered words of encouragement, prayers and words of support.. At this time we are forming a plan and really don’t have any information to pass. Please understand we appreciate all of our patrons, friends and family.
We are not ignoring private messages we just have an overwhelming amount of messages and texts at this time. BELIEVE WE WILL REACH OUT JUST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Finally, Mid-Missouri Aerial posted this video of drone footage of the historic Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen just 15 days apart. It’s shocking how much the river rose.
The worst may be over for Devil’s Elbow, but the worst flooding hasn’t happened yet to Route 66 towns along the Meramec River near St. Louis. That river may crest Wednesday or Thursday.
The damage in Devil’s Elbow is unprecedented, so it’s too early to predict if or when it will recover. However, I wouldn’t bet against the residents of that town. If any sort of methods for aid or a cleanup day is announced, I’ll post it here or in another story.
(Image of a flood-damaged Route 66 in Devil’s Elbow, Missouri, by Pulaski County Emergency Management)
Ron Warnick-san,
Hello. This is K (Atsuyuki Katsuyama) in Thailand. Hope you remember me. Two years ago you wrote about me. I could run across Route 66 and USA, thanks to you. And, I’ve been reading your news every time, with so many thanks.
This time, I am very sorry about this flood.
And, I just cannot watch all the videos straightly, tears are coming out. That’s painful.
About this case, I keep in touch with Ron Hart-san of Chamber, too.
I am sorry that I cannot do much from Thailand, but I’ll always send my prayer to my beloved MO and lovely people there.
(I’ve been writing a book about my USA cross run, and coincidently I was/am just writing about the days when I ran across Gasconade Bridge and near Devils Elbow… Once I finish writing my book, let me contact you, too, please.)
K
What a loss. One the highlights of the entire Route 66 experiene! So glad for the miraculous summer evening there in the town and walking the bridge at sunset. Time and the river flowing.
I have ridden my motorcycle through Devil’s Elbow, across the bridge and eaten at Elbow Inn many times over the years. I have great memories of the area, places and people I have met. This is so sad to see…
That’s a lot of wet bras… This is very sad news. When I drive through there I make a point of stopping at Shelden’s to buy something.
MY HUSBAND AND LIVED IN DEVILS ELBOW FROM 1987 TO 1990. WE LIVED IN A ROCK HOUSE DOWN TOWRD THE EDGE OF THE BIG PINEY. WE GOT MARRIED IN THAT HOME AND LATER MOVED INTO A HOME ON THE ROUTE 66 HWY. IT WAS OWNED BY JIGS MILLERS SON. I WORKED AT THE LITTLE POST OFFICE THAT WAS CALLED ALLMANS MARKET. I TRULY LVOED LIVING IN THAT AREA. THERE WAS A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE LIVING THERE. WE HAD TO MOVE WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS ACTIVATED FOR DESERT SHIELD AND MY MOTHER LIVED RIGHT BEHIND US AND I HAD TO MOVE HER IN WITH ME. ITS REALLY SAD TO SEE THIS KIND OF DEVESTATION TO PEOPLES PROPERTY AND LIVES. WE NOW LIVE IN HENDERSON TEXAS AND THE TORNADOS THAT SWEPT THROUGH THE CANTON AREA ON APRIL 29TH WERE ABOUT 70 MILES FROM US BUT WE WERE JUST BARELY IN THE PATH OF THE STORM. IT MISSED OUR TOWN AND WENT AROUND US. IM SO SORRY FOR THE PEOPLE OF DEVILS ELBOW AND WOULD LIKE TO HELP IF I CAN–SINCERLY,CAROL YOUNG.
Any news about this tragedy, today ?