Floods keep roads closed; river to rise today

Floodwaters remain over several area roadways as the Mississippi River water levels continue to fluctuate.

As of 7 p.m. Sunday, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St Louis District Report showed a water level of 41.9 feet. That's a decrease of 0.2 feet from Saturday but still much higher than the flood stage of 32 feet.

The river is forecast to rise again by early today and to crest Thursday morning at 44 feet.

Road closures have not changed. Highway 177 north of Cape Girardeau remains closed because of floodwaters, as are South Kingshighway near the Diversion Channel and Route E between Benton and Commerce, Missouri.

Sgt. Sean Adams of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's office said while flood levels are causing problems, the situation could be worse.

Tammy Waller, left, Justin Ramos and Brad Albaugh get ready for the "big one" while fishing in the Mississippi River floodwaters off Route AB as another fisherman returns with his catch Sunday north of Scott City. More flooding photos are in a gallery at semissourian.com. (Fred Lynch)

"Water is still over the roadways, but we're not aware of any property damage at this time," he said. "The only inconvenience is travel."

If predictions prove accurate, the flood's crest would make it the 10th-highest water mark in Cape Girardeau recorded history. The 10th-highest level is held by the flood of 1943, which reached 42.40 feet in May of that year.

The all-time record is 48.49 feet on Aug. 8, 1993.

tgraef@semissourian.com

388-3627