More rain for Missouri remains a concern

ST. LOUIS -- Rain-swollen rivers were cresting or starting to fall Monday across much of Missouri, but a National Weather Service flood expert warned more rain is on the way over the next several days, and the water could rise again.

The Mississippi River south of St. Louis was expected to reach its high point today.

The flooding started in mid-June, thanks to torrential rains that worsened with the arrival of Tropical Depression Bill. Parts of Missouri got 5 to 7 inches of rain in a 24-hour period last week.

Hydrologist Mark Fuchs of the weather service office near St. Louis said heavy rain is in the forecast for this week along the Iowa-Illinois border and by the end of the month along the Missouri River basin from Nebraska through mid-Missouri.

All that water eventually would make its way into the Mississippi River at the confluence with the Missouri near St. Louis, and to points south.

"That's something we're going to have to watch closely," Fuchs said.

"The worst may or may not be over."

All told, roads were closed in 62 locations across Missouri.

The Mississippi River was at "major" flood stage from near Ste. Genevieve south through the Missouri Bootheel.

Buyouts since the 1993 flood have removed most homes from harm's way, and few homes were endangered.

The Mississippi was expected to crest today at Cape Girardeau, reaching 11 1/2 feet above flood stage.

A flood wall protects Cape Girardeau, but officials were monitoring nearby Allenville and Dutchtown, each with about 100 residents.

The Mississippi was expected to crest at 40 feet Tuesday near Ste. Genevieve -- 13 feet above flood stage. Storm sewers backed up into some

basements in Ste. Genevieve and flooded the lower level of the county health department building, said Felix Meyer, emergency management coordinator for Ste. Genevieve County.

The Meramec River was several feet above flood stage at Arnold, Valley Park and other towns near St. Louis.

Several parks and ballfields were flooded, along with several roads.

The Meramec was expected to drop below flood stage by Wednesday.