More rain could cause flooding in Missouri

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A wet August could get even wetter across much of Missouri in the coming days, raising new flooding concerns.

National Weather Service hydrologist Mark Fuchs says an unstable weather pattern is expected to continue for at least the next week or so, potentially causing more rivers and creeks to rise above their banks.

Downpours Monday night and Tuesday morning caused flash flooding in south-central Missouri, hitting hardest in Waynesville, resulting in a child's death. Much of southern Missouri is under flood or flash flood watches or warnings.

Even larger rivers could spike, including the Missouri. Fuchs says the Missouri River could rise as much as 15 feet in parts of central and eastern Missouri, though because it is currently low, it isn't expected to rise above flood stage.

The Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau is expected to rise to about 19.5 feet over the weekend. The river stood at about 14 feet Tuesday morning. Flood stage is 32 feet.