70-YEAR-OLD LADY IN RED ESSENCE OF GOOD WILL

She is shorter than most of the shovels used to fill sandbags and she's older than her peers, but the true grit of Christine McGhee is evident in her determination to stem the tide of another devastating flood.

As the mighty Mississippi rises toward an expected crest Wednesday of 47 feet at Cape Girardeau, McGhee, who stands just shy of 4 feet 11 inches, promises to meet the challenge.

The 70-year-old Scott City resident, proud of the fact that she will turn 71 next month, was easily one of the more colorful volunteers working to mitigate flood damage in the Red Star District of Cape Girardeau, just north of the city's floodwall.

Although her license plates indicate she is a resident of Florida, McGhee said she is back in Scott City and intends to stay.

For now she wants to settle a score with a river that has forced Red Star residents to prepare for evacuations and more protection. "I'll work as long as they need me here," she said. "If I can do it, anybody can."

When McGhee announced she was ready to fill sandbags, the "lady in red" -- as she's been dubbed by other volunteers for her bright red outfit -- captured the fascination of Betty Knoll, special assignment officer for the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

"She stayed all day Sunday and is back for more of the same today," Knoll said. "We definitely need volunteers, and the lady in red is pitching in like the rest of them to help deal with this emergency situation."

Knoll said she suspects volunteers aren't as plentiful this year as they were in 1993's record flood because of the river's rapid rise this year.

"Some people who are at work today probably don't even know how high the river is," she said. "I think once the word gets out that we need more volunteers, they'll be here."

City emergency coordinator Mark Hasheider was moved by a woman who showed up to volunteer to sandbag at the Red Star District with her seven children. "One child was too little to sandbag, but the woman and her other children were there and willing to help out," Hasheider said. "I think that's a great experience for a child, even if it's just for a couple of hours."

Sandbagging is just one phase of the emergency. Knoll and Cape Girardeau police officers Ike Hammonds and Charlie Herbst have been working since last Thursday, walking door to door in areas that were flooded in 1993 to determine who will be affected.

The city's planning services office uses a computerized system to map out areas that likely are affected by the high water.

Police and firemen use the maps to get the word to residents in areas the river reaches only in major floods like this year's.

"Things are running pretty smoothly as far as getting to the areas and letting people know what is going on," said Sgt. Carl Kinnison of the Cape Girardeau Police Department. "After dealing with the flood of 1993, we're aware of what can happen and how quickly people need to get out."

The American Red Cross is coordinating disaster relief for hundreds of families affected by the flood. The Red Cross, which is in need of volunteers to sandbag and deliver food and drinks, can be reached by called 335-9471.

The Salvation Army also continues to serve flood victims. Capt. Elmer Trapp said the Salvation Army also has helped feed flood workers, serving 1,000 sandwiches, 50 cases of soda and gallons of water and coffee along with ptotato chips, crackers and cookies.

Trapp said cleaning supplies will be needed once the water starts to recede.