Corps of Engineers mobilizes to fight flooding in Charleston, Cairo

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District, announced Friday morning it has initiated Phase I floodfighting in Charleston, Missouri, and Cairo, Illinois.

High river stages on the upper Mississippi River that threaten to flood the areas prompted the move, a news release said. Flood fighting personnel will be active around Cairo.

During Phase I flood fighting, Army Corps personnel deploy to the field and monitor all federal flood-control works, including levees, flood walls and pumping stations. They also monitor rainfall amounts in affected areas and National Weather Service forecasts to determine whether more action is needed.

Other areas likely to be affected by the rising river levels include the Southeast Missouri towns of Cape Girardeau, Scott City, Chaffee and Commerce.

The news release said the Ohio River has not reached levels requiring flood-fighting activation but is expected to rise above flood stage. National Weather Service forecasts expect the Mississippi River will continue to rise for the next several days, with the latest predicted crest of 43.5 feet in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday.

The news release said Army Corps officials expect to initiate Phase II floodfighting on Monday. During Phase II, personnel begin more intensive, around-the-clock monitoring of "flood risk reduction works." They also make technical and material assistance available to communities and flood-control organizations.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Division headquarters in Vicksburg, Mississippi, coordinates all flood fighting in the Mississippi Valley. The Emergency Operations Center in Memphis, Tennessee, directs all flood-fighting activities in its area of responsibility along with the affected states, levee districts and other area interest groups.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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