MISSISSIPPI CONTINUES ITS SLUGGISH FALL

The National Weather Service says the swollen Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau will continue to fall slowly until mid-week.

A slight rise is expected Wednesday, but at this time forecasters are not predicting any significant increase. The river crested here Wednesday at 31.7 feet.

On Sunday, the river at Cape Girardeau was at 28.9 feet, a fall of 1.1 feet from Saturday. The river was predicted to drop to 28.3 feet today, 28.2 feet on Tuesday, and rise 0.2 of a foot on Wednesday, to 28.4 feet.

The Ohio River at Cairo was forecast to fall from 36 feet Sunday to 34.1 feet today, 32.7 feet Tuesday, and 31.8 feet on Wednesday.

Forecasters said any additional significant precipitation north of St. Louis after today would affect the river stage predictions.

Rainfall over the weekend at Cape Girardeau totaled nearly an inch (.84), including over one-half inch on Sunday.

Since April 1, rainfall at the airport totals 4.92 inches, compared to the long-term average of 4.47 inches.

The extended forecast calls for little or no rain during the period Wednesday through Friday.