FLOOD CLOSES PLAYERS CASINO

METROPOLIS -- Players Riverboat Casino closed here at 1 this morning because of the rising waters of the Ohio River.

"We're closing for at least 48 hours," said Mike Crider, the casino's vice president and general manager. "The water is still coming up, and we're going to re-evaluate our loading ramp."

With water over Front Street between the Players Hotel and Merv Griffin Theater and the riverboat complex on the Ohio River, visitors have spent the week walking a 4-foot-wide, block-long floating ramp to the casino.

The hotel and theater are on higher ground.

Parking is a big problem, too, said Crider.

With the river expected to crest by midweek, Crider hopes to re-open Tuesday.

Gov. Jim Edgar flew over the Southern Illinois area Saturday, surveying the flood threat. He visited with Metropolis officials during the tour.

Flooding in Metropolis, Brookport and the Shawneetown areas are extensive, said a spokesman with the U.S. Coast Guard at Paducah, Ky.

The Ohio at Metropolis is more than 8 feet above flood stage and could rise another foot before cresting.

As many as two dozen families have been evacuated to higher ground at Metropolis.

Old Shawneetown has been closed to outsiders. The river was at 50.7 feet Saturday and was expected to crest 3 feet higher on Thursday. A number of families there have been evacuated.

At Cairo, the river is more than 15 feet above flood stage. The river wall can protect the city to about 60 feet.

The Ohio River Bridge leading to Kentucky has been closed since Thursday night, due to water across U.S. Highway 51, from the bridge to Wickliffe on the Kentucky side.

Weather forecasts are calling for more rain today in Southern Illinois, some parts of Indiana and other states drained by the Ohio River, then remain dry through Wednesday.

Flooding conditions still exist along the Mississippi River in the Bootheel area of Missouri.

The Mississippi crested at Cape Girardeau Thursday, allowing the opening of the Broadway floodgate in the downtown area, but the crest is not due at Caruthersville until midweek.

Casino Aztar, which is docked on the Mississippi River at Caruthersville, is still operating, using the high loading ramp over the river wall to enter the casino.

The Mississippi is expected to crest at 42.5 feet early next week. Aztar officials say the casino can continue operating up to a river level of 44 feet.

"The stage Saturday was 41.6," said Darryl Lyons, captain of the City of Caruthersville riverboat, which houses the casino.

About 40 Coast Guard members check on the Ohio River flooding.

Lt. J.G. Tom Tarrants, of the Marine Safety Office in Paducah, said members of the Guard keep a sharp eye on the river, including from a helicopter based in New Orleans and patrol vehicles along the river.

During the past few days, Guard members provided boat transportation for emergency medical personnel to homes isolated by flooding.

Flood Punt Units, Guard boats with personnel that can conduct missions in the flood area on short notice, worked the area.

One fully staffed Flood Punt Unit is assisting authorities in Smithland, Ky., providing lifesaving services and delivery of vital supplies.

Paducah's Executive Inn Hotel on the banks of the Ohio River has closed operations.