Corps working to prevent breach, ready if necessary

U.S. Army Corps of Engineer officials say they are doing everything they can to avoid blowing up the Birds Point levee.

Col. Vernie L. Reichling, commander of the corps' Memphis district, at a press conference Thursday afternoon said water levels at the Cairo, Ill., river gauge have climbed only slightly -- still a few feet away from the danger zone of 60.5 feet.

Relief is coming from corps system operators in the smaller and major tributaries.

"Hold as much as you can, that is our message to our brothers north and east of us," Reichling said.

Since Sunday more than 200 people have been deployed in flood fighting in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois so far at a cost of $3.3 million, including personnel, sandbagging and prep work on the levees.

But the situation remains tense. Forecasts call for the Cairo river stage to hit 60.5 feet as soon as Sunday, and the water is expected to remain at that level for several days putting historically powerful pressure on the levees.

While the corps is doing everything it can, Reichling said, if conditions warrant, the breach plan must go into effect.

Answering a question about the legal battles currently ensuing in Cape Girardeau over the corps' plan, Reichling said "I'm a soldier. I've been given an order. I'm going to go forward with that order.

"At this point we are moving forward with our preparations."

Check for more later at www.semissourian.com or in Friday's Southeast Missourian.