PERRY HIGHWAY FLOODED

PERRYVILLE -- Water from the Mississippi River is over the road again along Highway 51, as much as two feet deep in some spots.

Motorists traveling between Perryville and Chester, Ill., have been advised to take alternate routes.

Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman Sonny Cash said Monday afternoon that the roadway wasn't officially closed. Large trucks may travel the route, but cars are being discouraged from doing so.

Cash said officials are monitoring the situation, but about all that can be done is to wait for the water to go down. "We have no idea when that will be."

Water is over the road at McBride and again closer to the Mississippi River Bridge at Chester.

"People can travel it, but do it at your own risk," Cash said. "I wouldn't try it unless I had a big truck."

A combination of a new flood crest and heavy rain Sunday caused the flood water, which had been along the edge of the roadway, to cover it.

On Monday, tractor-trailer rigs made their way cautiously along Highway 51. Several other motorists braved the water-covered road, only to turn back.

The road had been open to traffic for less than two weeks. Highway 51 was closed after a 300-foot section of the Bois Brule Levee gave way July 24.

Over 20,000 acres of farmland, homes, and businesses including Gilster-Mary Lee and Sabreliner Corp. were flooded. By the end of August, the breach had grown to 1,200 to 1,500 feet.

Mississippi River water still covers hundreds of acres, slowing and even stalling cleanup efforts.

Water has receded enough to allow cleanup operations to begin at the Gilster-Mary Lee plant in McBride.

However, the buildings are virtually surrounded by water. Vehicles must travel through water ranging from several inches to several feet deep to reach the structure.