Flood water creeps over Highway 177, but doesn't close road

Water covered but did not close Highway 177 at the northern city limits of Cape Girardeau today, the first of a possibly increasing number of problems the Mississippi River could create as it rises toward its highest crest of the year.

The prediction for a crest of 43 feet on Wednesday remained unchanged even as additional rains fell in Iowa and northern Missouri. If the predicted crest is reached, it would be the highest river level since 2002.

At 4 p.m., the river stage was 41.36 feet, virtually unchanged since Sunday. Flood stage is 32 feet.

Cape Girardeau County emergency management director Richard Knaup said a river level of 44 feet would trigger action to build a temporary levee down Highway 74 near Dutchtown to keep the intersection of Highway 25 and Route A open. Otherwise, he said he expects few problems from the projected crest.

Some county roads, especially in the Allenville area, may become impassable because of high water, Knaup said. "We are going to be watching it, no doubt," he said.

City takes over floodwall district

The City of Cape Girardeau will effectively take over control of the floodwall district tonight at midnight. There was no specific reason why tonight was the night responsibilty would shift hand, public works director Tim Gramling said.

The shift of flood wall district caretaker has been destined as far back as three or four years ago, Gramling said.

Currently, the flood wall district is separated into two parts, and operated by different owners in each half.

The decision came to change owners of the last 50 years after federal money was earmarked for repairs to the district. Funding provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was employed to help repair the wall. They demanded that they only work with one owner, because they thought it make the rebuilding work smoother, Gramling said. The city then took the reigns of assisting in improvement from the two separate owners.

The actual decision for the city to take over occurred June 16. All city council decisions become effective ten days after agreement.