Rivers rise, but damage minimal in Missouri

ST. LOUIS -- Rivers are rising throughout Missouri, and with more rainfall in the forecast, moderate flooding is expected at several locations.

Both the Missouri and Mississippi rivers are overflowing because of heavy rain that has settled over the central U.S. over the past several days.

The Mississippi is expected to reach 7 feet above flood stage south of St. Louis, but no significant problems are expected.

Butch Dye with the National Weather Service in St. Louis said Monday more rain is in the forecast in southwestern and eastern Missouri through the week. Up to 7 inches of rain could fall by the weekend, which potentially could make flooding worse.

Waters in Cape Girardeau are expected to reach 6 1/2 feet above flood stage by the morning of June 22.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a river level here of 38.5 feet. Flood stage is 32 feet. The Themis Street floodgate in downtown closes at 36 feet. Damage is minimal at that level, though a rise of an additional 4 feet likely would lead to evacuations in small towns south of the city.

The Mississippi River is expected to peak a couple of feet above flood stage from Canton to St. Louis, but the rise south of St. Louis is higher. The area near Ste. Genevieve could see floodwaters more than 7 feet above flood stage by Sunday, potentially threatening U.S. 61 south of town.

Parts of the Missouri River are expected to reach 4 feet above flood stage this week.

Flooding doesn't have the impact it once did in the Midwest, thanks to buyout programs after the 1993 flood. The government has spent millions of dollars buying land in floodplains and turning it into green space, soccer fields and other nondeveloped land.

In Jefferson County, south of St. Louis, the Meramec River is expected to rise to 7 feet above flood stage by the weekend at Arnold. Still, Jefferson County emergency coordinator Warren Robinson said few homes will be endangered. A few roads are closed, and some agricultural land is under water, he said.

In central Missouri along the Missouri River, some sections along the Katy Trail, a cross-state hiking and biking trail, are flooding. A couple of sections of Highway 94 also are threatened.