Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau forecast to reach 44 feet by Wednesday

As of this morning the Mississippi River was forecast to reach 44 feet at Cape Girardeau on Wednesday morning, 12 feet above flood stage.

At 43 feet, the floodgate at Main Street is closed. At 35 feet the Themis Street gate is closed, a level the river should hit by Saturday, according to current forecasts from the National Weather Service.

During the 1993 flood, the river crested at 48.49 feet in Cape Girardeau. In 1995 the river reached 47 feet. 

As of 7 a.m. today, the river stage was at 32.5 feet. Forecasts are based on precipitation that has fallen as well as precipitation that's expected to fall today and into tomorrow. However, the forecast could be revised downward.