Mississippi River flood crests less than expected

ST. LOUIS (AP) — With flood crests now expected to be below earlier projections, several Missouri communities are breathing easier.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday lowered predicted crests at St. Louis and other communities by about 2 feet. Still, significant flooding is happening along parts of the Missouri, Mississippi and other rivers in the state.

The remnants of Hurricane Ike brought heavy rain and high winds to the state over the weekend, causing rivers to swell. Four deaths have been blamed on the weather — three in the St. Louis area and one in Columbia. Flash floods also temporarily displaced an estimated 720 families in St. Louis County alone.

Residents of a neighborhood in St. Peters are still cleaning up after the storm caused sewage to back up into their basements.

The river is expected to crest at Cape Girardeau Saturday morning at 42.0 feet, 10 feet over flood stage.