William Shakespeare repeated this quotation in two acts of his play, Henry VI: “Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep.” Most people transpose the adage to read, “Smooth waters run deep,” implying calm/quiet/unassuming people may have strengths or admirable qualities under their surface exterior. Lately, Morrison, IL, has experienced actual deep waters at French Creek.
Two Quad-City news stations–KWQC-TV6 and WQAD8–were concerned enough to dispatch reporters and camera crews to Morrison on Thursday, April 18, 2013, “to talk about flooding again,” stated City Administrator Jim Wise.
He commended the efforts of the City of Morrison Public Works Department staff, who went to work between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m. today, placing sandbags in flooded areas of town. They were assisted in the early morning, when firefighters and EMT’s showed up at 4:30.
“We are very appreciative of that!” added CA Wise.
Morrison Chief of Police Brian Melton reported “within the City limits, there are no road closings. The [morning] water has subsided.”
Earlier in the morning, barricades were placed on French Creek Road, leading to the Industrial Complex off IL Route 78, “to caution people to slow down.” Shortly after noon, he stated, “French Creek Road has very little water on it. As long as it doesn’t rain, it looks promising.”
Superintendent of Public Services Gary Tresenriter was back in his office by 1:30 p.m., having put in a 10-hour day. “I’m just hoping the water’s going down,” he said. His day included several sewer calls, what was thought to be a broken water main, and–to top things off–a training session on the new generator at Well #5.
“The manufacturer was there and trained [us.] We tested it,” and the generator is now operational.
However, “This isn’t over yet,” added CA Wise. “Everyone needs to remain diligent and continue to monitor the creeks.” Contact City Hall at 815-772-7657 if you have flooding concerns.
A 2009 photograph of Johnson Creek, in the state of Oregon, illustrates that flooding and deep waters are a common force with which many must reckon.
