River still rising, but forecasted levels drop

Heavy rainfall Friday and rising levels on the Mississippi River kept several Southeast Missouri communities under a flood warning, according to the National Weather Service, although predicted peak river levels have dropped a bit.

More than 2 inches of rain in many areas, combined with already-rising river levels, elevated flood risks for areas in Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott counties. Alexander and Union counties in Illinois also are at risk.

The river is expected to crest Tuesday morning at 43.5 feet in Cape Girardeau, the weather service said, which is a foot less than the 44.5 feet predicted Thursday. That still is more than 11 feet above flood stage.

Missouri Department of Transportation customer relations manager Nicole Thieret said crews have monitored roads for flooding since last week and will continue to do so in the coming days. She said a few roads in the Southeast Missouri area were closed -- primarily those that are typically covered by floodwaters when the Mississippi River begins to rise.

They include:

• South Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau south of Highway 74 near the Diversion Channel
• Route E between Benton and Commerce in Scott County
• Route A in Perry County east of Altenburg
• Route C in Perry County in Menfro
• Route E in Perry County near Cinque Hommes Creek

Thieret said MoDOT's traveler information map is available for motorists curious about road closings across the state.

"That map is updated whenever a road is closed. Usually, we get notification as crews are going out to close the road, so that gets updated pretty quickly," she said.

The map is available at traveler.modot.org/map.

If a road is flooded, Thieret said, motorists should be safe and turn around. A foot of water will float many vehicles, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and two feet of rushing water can carry away most. As little as six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult, the agency says on its website.

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Jackson, Mo.

Allenville, Mo.

Pocahontas, Mo.

Old Appleton, Mo.