SOUTHERN ILLINOIS HIT HARD BY RIVER'S RAPID RISE

THEBES, Ill. -- Kim McCormick was helping friends try to save their house Saturday afternoon in Thebes, with little help from the Alexander County Highway Department.

"We need some sandbags," she yelled at a helicopter circling the area. "I don't know who that is, but I hope it's the governor."

Other residents said they would like to yell a few other words, too.

During the 1993 flood, sandbags and sand were dropped off in Thebes by the highway department where residents tried to save their homes from the wrath of the Mississippi River.

This year, the trucks that hauled the materials are being used to dump rock and gravel on the Fayville Levee near Miller City.

"I know that levee will prove itself again," a Thebes resident said. "It will flood that bottom land just like it did last year."

Bobbie Shafer, a Thebes' city board member, said she requested the highway department to bring the sandbags to Thebes, adding that a truck is expected to drop off supplies by Saturday night or early today.

Many residents are traveling to Olive Branch and getting the sandbags themselves. The trip takes about 30 minutes round trip, excluding the time for loading and unloading the materials.

"The river is coming up fast," McCormick said, "and it's like nobody cares about what happens to Thebes."

Alexander County Engineer Joe Plemon said the county and trucks from the Illinois Department of Transportation have focused on saving the levee protecting Miller City and the Olive Branch area. About 70 trucks hauled rock and gravel to reinforce the levee Saturday.

"The state has been a big help," Plemon said. "We needed it to try and stay ahead of the river. They have devoted 65 dump trucks to this."

Others need help in Alexander County, he said, but the highway department was doing all it could with the resources it has.

"We are all aware that the crest could get higher with more rain," he said.

Plemon said Saturday afternoon that the Fayville Levee looked solid.

In other areas of Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, volunteers were requested for sandbagging efforts.

The Cape Girardeau office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 339 Broadway, extended its hours Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., for people needing information or requesting a large quantity of sandbags. They can call the office at (314) 335-3386

Cape Girardeau officials said volunteers were needed today at the Red Star Baptist Church, 1301 N. Main.

Officials also restated the curfew the city and county imposed Friday remained in effect until further notice.

People in restricted flooded areas after 6 p.m. will be arrested, officials said. Authorities also will cite people for having boats, canoes and jet skis in restricted areas.