Heartland Trailways corporate offices reside 1 1/2 miles from the Missouri River in St. Joseph, Missouri. With the announcements from the U.S. Corps of Engineers about the coming floods, preparations had to be made.

As John Nichols, President of Heartland, turned to look out his office window, the bolt in the telephone pole resting just below eye level struck uneasiness in his heart. The bolt represents the water line during flood in 1984.

During this flood, the gates that keep the river from flowing back into Blacksnake Creek across the road from Heartland failed. This catastrophe coupled with a six inch rain one summer day led to the building being three feet underwater.

Luckily the flood gates have held and no torrential downpours have made the creek climb over the road. Plans are in place to ensure continuity of service to its clients at all times though, even in the event of a flood or other disaster.

The line spoken going out of the offices at night are now ringing fatefully true – “see you tomorrow…God willing and the creek don’t rise!” :)