I could just say WOW!!! WOW!!! Being me, I cannot leave it at that. How unfortunate a situation for the OP and how fortunate for those who might ever wonder about the integrity of Mr. Ross.
I too was affected by the flood of ‘19, Big Muddy rolls right by my doorstep as it happens (not literally unless we’re talking about my doorstep at work). Coincidence had me tracking river levels during the OP’s time frame because at a certain level work is cut off from the rest of civilization, becoming an island with no way out except helicopter, boat, or a treacherous ford on a sealcoat road. All of that boils down to overtime for me which amounts to 24/7 pay with time and a half after 40 hours. Quick math, I earned $10,000 in OT in 2 weeks. Damn right I kept track of flooding!
The OP’s saga seemed to begin in earnest on May 3rd. That date sticks out as the day after the Governor stopped in by boat to visit and observe damage from an all-time record crest (22.7’). That same crest would have continued South to St. Louis where it hit a few days later. Where was John Ross? Waiting on a check, not assisting his friend in fending off the Walking Dead.
The river stayed high though, above major flood level for longer than any time in recorded history, and there were two historic crests a month apart with the second recorded on June 2nd. That too reached St. Louis mere days later but receded after just a few days. Where was John Ross? Well, perhaps he was assisting a friend with this second, lesser flood but then by June 8th the worst would have been over. 11 more days before he re-emerged? He left his vehicle there? Where? In the water?
I’m finding little that rings true with Mr. Ross’ story. I also took exception to the treatment given the OP on CB’s forum. No one really wins on this one even if this missile launcher is the bees knees.
Below are screenshots I captured from the NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service website during the OP’s time frame.
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=dvn&gage=rcki2
This is how we drove in to work April 29th for the beginning of an 8 1/2 day camp out.
April 30, 2019 crest was expected to be below the record by several tenths of a foot. Mr. Ross should already have been securing that house!
May 2, 2019 (all-time record). Mr. Ross is still at home and touching base.
May 27, 2019 rising for second crest after falling below Major Flood Stage and this second crest was unexpected the week before (less than 5% chance). Mr. Ross would have had a solid couple weeks to drive home and eat a sandwich, make a few phone calls, but didn’t.
June 2, 2019 day of second crest, a full foot+ below May 2, 2019 crest. Mr. Ross claims later to have been marooned despite opportunity between crests to leave.
14.61’ observed on June 20, 2019 (below flood stage completely), the day Mr. Ross began explaining away his month long absence from a truck stop (where his helicopter landed?)
On a personal note, I do hope the OP is wildly pleased with the new hand cannon when it arrives (and I’m assuming with fingers crossed).
