Flood gates, sandbagging along the Mississippi

Tuesday, March 10, 2009
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Several communities in Missouri are going through an all-too-common springtime ritual -- preparing to fight back rising rivers.

The Mississippi River is now expected to crest 5 to 6 feet above flood stage later this week at several Missouri towns north of St. Louis. Other rivers like the Grand, Chariton and Fabius also are flooding.

In Cape Girardeau, the river is predicted to crest at 2.5 feet over flood stage on March 18. The river will go over flood stage Sunday, when it's expected to rise to 33 feet, one foot over flood stage.

On the Mississippi, Hannibal and Canton are installing flood gates. Clarksville, Louisiana and Winfield also are bracing for flooding. Sandbagging is possible in some communities.

The flooding is the result of heavy rain over the weekend, and more rain that fell Monday and early Tuesday.

Flood watchers could get a break, though: Forecasters are calling for mostly dry conditions through the weekend.