After the bridge was dismantled, the engineers discovered that the supports weren't sunk into the bedrock far enough, causing undermining of the piers.

[citation needed] In the early morning of May 1, 2008, five barges broke loose of their moorings, with two of those striking the easternmost pylon of the bridge on the Henderson County, Illinois side of the river.

A third barge continued downstream, striking the BNSF Railroad owned Burlington Rail Bridge.

[citation needed] On June 17, 2008, the bridge was closed due to major flooding of the Mississippi River.

[1][2] The Illinois side was damaged in the floods due to levee failure, trapping people who were rescued by helicopter,[3] and decreasing population in Gulfport for the long term.