Operations, blasting continue today; river level dropping at Cairo

The U.S. Corps of Engineers reports this morning that operations are continuing at the first outflow crevasse in New Madrid. The river level at the 7 a.m. was 60.57

It was 61.72 at 10 p.m. when the corps breached the levee Monday. The river had fallen 0.4 feet in the last 24 hours, which includes the period from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday when it was still going up rapidly.

Meanwhile the corps says it was delayed in making the first outflow crevasse near New Madrid -- the second of three blasts that complete the operation of the floodway. As of about 6 a.m., the blast still hadn't occurred.

Some good news this morning. The rain seems to have cleared out.

We'll have many more updates as the morning continues. Be sure to check out all of the flood coverage at www.semissourian.com/flood2011.