Forecast for river crest lowered 2 feet

Homes may be spared and roads kept open if the Mississippi River crests in Cape Girardeau at 42 feet, lower than initially forecast.

Earlier, the National Weather Service expected to the river to crest at 44.5 feet, and relief workers braced for more flooding. But forecasters reduced the forecast level Saturday morning.

The Red Star neighborhood, on the city's northeast side, had the potential to be particularly hard hit. On Friday, Cape Girardeau officials went door to door to warn residents they could see 4 to 5 feet of water. Now officials say they don't think any houses will be affected.

"Two or three may have water up to their foundation, but that would be about it," said Mark Hasheider, assistant fire chief and emergency operations director for Cape Girardeau. "The 42-foot mark is a bit of a threshold. Anything over 40 we start to be concerned. Between 40 and 42, the water is approaching the levees. Above 42, and Highway 25 closes," he said.

A shelter at the Delta Community Center, the last open shelter in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Scott counties, is expected to close at 2 p.m. today. Efforts have now turned to recovery, as people return to their homes and evaluate damage.

"They're just trying to salvage anything," said Jim Bollinger, Bollinger County's emergency operations director. He estimated between 45 and 60 homes were affected in the county but did not know whether any were beyond repair. Some people "are starting to get their fill. It's flood cleanup, move back in, and then flood cleanup again."

On Tuesday, official damage assessment will begin. Eight joint federal and state teams will begin gathering information on damage. They will report their findings to federal and state officials, who will then determine whether the counties qualify as disaster areas and are eligible for reimbursement funds.

Bollinger said recovery will be more difficult than with February's ice storm. Debris from trees could be burned, but wet furniture or carpeting must be hauled away. He also said the Salvation Army, Red Cross and civic agencies are spread thin because of the extent of the flooding.

On Saturday, the Red Cross distributed cleanup kits, which included a mop, sponge and gloves. People can call the Red Cross at 335-9471 for assistance.

Those with well water can call 573-751-3334 beginning Monday for a free kit to test the safety of their water. Flooded wells must be disinfected with chlorine, which must then be flushed out.

The National Weather Service estimates more than 100,000 acres around Cape Girardeau are flooded. As of 7 p.m. Saturday, the Mississippi River was at 40.78 feet, nearly 9 feet above flood stage. The rivers is expected to crest and begin falling by this evening.

"The water's receded a whole lot. We've got water up north, and some roads are still closed. But everyone's getting back to normal. ... People are just cleaning up messes," said Capt. Robert Hull of the Jackson Police Department.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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