RESIDENTS OF WARE, ILL., AREA URGED TO EVACUATE

WARE, Ill. -- About 200 residents of Union County assembled Sunday at the Shawnee High School north of Ware to be briefed on among other things the state of their levees.

Lee Roy Rendlemann, chairman of the Union County Board of Commissioners, called the meeting to urge people to evacuate their homes until the Mississippi River level drops to about 35 feet.

The river is expected to crest at Cape Girardeau Thursday at 49 feet 17 feet above flood stage. Rendlemann told the gathering that the Illinois levees were designed to hold back a 53-foot river.

Andy McLain, one of three levee district managers in attendance, assured people as best he could that the levees would hold.

On Sunday, orange dump trucks roared up and down Illinois Highway 3 to build up the levees in weak spots and to raise those which high-river levels would come dangerously close to topping.

"We're patrolling the levees 24 hours a day," McLain said. "We're doing the best we can to maintain them and fix sandboils, which seem to pop up every five minutes or so.

"All I can really say for the levee is that it's still there and it looks good to us," McLain said. "We're just going to keep up our patrols and see what comes next."

Despite the encouraging words by McLain and Corps of Engineers coordinator Bob Keller, Rendlemann asked residents who have not yet moved out of the flood plain to do so immediately.

At the start of the meeting, Rendlemann asked for a show of hands as to how many people had already left their homes. About two-thirds of those in attendance raised their hands.

After several representatives of emergency and relief organizations addressed the group, Rendlemann asked who would be moving out now. No one raised their hands.

"I guess I haven't convinced too many of you hard-heads yet," Rendlemann said. "No one is going to force you to leave your homes, but I want to emphasize that you're better off safe than sorry."

Howard Halsey, a representative with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, urged people who are commuting to and from their homes in boats to leave immediately.

"If you're living in a house surrounded by water, you are eligible for emergency rent assistance," Halsey said. "We can't protect you if you're living like that we wouldn't be able to get fire trucks or other emergency services to you in a crisis situation."

But as far as alternate living arrangements went, Halsey did not have any answers.

"FEMA has looked for alternate housing facilities from Cairo to Chester; we haven't found anything," Halsey said. "Most people who are leaving are staying with friends and family.

"Like fish, guests begin to stink after about three days," he continued. "But in a time of crisis like this, we have to be able to lean on each other, extend a hand to a friend or family member to give them a safe place to live until the floodwaters recede."

Halsey also encouraged those who attended the meeting to visit the FEMA office at the Egyptian Elementary School near Tamms even if their homes have not yet been inundated with water.

"We need to get you on file so that if something were to happen to your homes things would move more quickly," Halsey said. FEMA also has food stockpiled at the center to offer flood victims.

"People just need to come to the center we can't do anything for them until they register," Halsey said. The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday. Those wishing to register for FEMA services but cannot visit the center can do so by calling 1-800-462-9029.

Before adjourning the meeting, Rendlemann went over the evacuation plan for the area in case of a levee break.

First, the Union County Sheriff's Department, which is connected with the Corps of Engineers and the levee district managers via two-way radios, would verify that the levee has indeed broken.

"We've had so many rumors floating around and so many calls about them that we spend a lot of our time chasing them down," said Bob Keller, coordinator for the Corps of Engineers. "It's the rumors; not the levee that is our biggest problem right now."

After the break is verified, the fire alarm at the Ware station would sound, and fire trucks in Ware and Wolf Lake would drive through the streets sirens blaring announcing on the loud speakers that residents had to evacuate and advising them of the most direct route out of the area.

All residents are then asked to stop at the Tamms-Jonesboro High School to "check-in" with emergency workers.

"If you don't check in, we're going to be out looking for you," Rendlemann said. "We have a list of who's still in there and we're going to make sure everyone is out."

Rendlemann said that if any fires occur before the floodwaters have receded, the firefighters would report without the use of the sirens.

All the emergency service spokesmen commended the residents on their patience and perseverance during this time of crisis.

"Everybody's on edge and everybody's weary," Rendlemann said. "But we will get through this we will endure."