Hannibal's floodgates staying put

HANNIBAL, Mo. (AP) -- Hannibal's floodgates are staying put for a while.

John Hark, Hannibal's emergency management director, says the decision was forced by weekend rains that spiked water levels along the Mississippi River.

Last week, he said he planned to take out the gates Monday.

That changed when forecasters predicted a surge in water levels following the storms. The river stage at Hannibal stood at 20 feet Sunday, but a steady climb of almost two feet is expected by late in the week.

Hark said the floodgates won't start coming out until the river reaches 21 feet and a five-day decrease is forecast.

Vehicle access to Hannibal's riverfront has been cut off since gates were put in April 20.

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Information from: Hannibal Courier-Post, http://www.hannibal.net