St. Louis water levels could indicate severity of Cape flooding

As the Mississippi River continues to rise, American Red Cross officials said St. Louis could be an indicator of whether predicted extensive flooding will occur in such areas as Cape Girardeau later this week.

On Monday, the National Weather Service predicted a crest of 39 feet Saturday in St. Louis, 10 feet lower than the 1993 crest. If that prediction proves correct and the areas north of the city receive a minimal amount of rainfall, Cape Girardeau could escape earlier forecasts of more severe flooding.

Following the forecast

"All eyes are on the Mississippi River," said Joe Becker, senior vice president of disaster services for the American Red Cross. "The projection is for the flooding to occur just north of St. Louis, and if that happens, it won't be a significant factor in the city. But if more rain falls, then we could be looking at a completely different situation.

"By all indications, Cape Girardeau should be getting better and better, not worse and worse."

Earlier forecasts predicted the Mississippi River would crest at 44.5 feet June 24 in Cape Girardeau. However, on Monday the predicted crest had decreased to 43.5 feet. If the river crests at that level, it would mark the seventh-highest recorded level in the city.

The forecast is based on rain already in the streams and rivers to the north. More rainfall may alter the crest height and date.

The good news, Becker said, is that flooding is not expected to reach the 1993 mark, when the Mississippi River reached an all-time high crest of 48.49 feet in Cape Girardeau.

Red Cross gets ready

While no shelters have been opened and no teams have been activated to Cape Girardeau yet, local Red Cross officials said that could change.

Kessie Hinkle, director of the Southeast Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross, said shelters could be opened within a two-hour notice. But she added that unlike March, when record rainfall resulted in unexpected flooding, there is more time to prepare for the possible disaster.

"Since we have an entire week to prepare everyone, we'll be able to get the word out about what folks should do in wake of the flooding," Hinkle said. "And that will allow people more time to get their plans in place for shelter instead of having to evacuate in the middle of the night."

On June 13, the local Red Cross chapter sent five relief workers to flood-ravaged areas in Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa. They could spend up to 21 days in the area.

Coming together

Steven Stacy, one of the five volunteers from the chapter, has served on relief teams since the mid-1990s. He said though the massive floods have destroyed property, the storms have brought communities closer together.

"I've met a lot of people who are overwhelmed with emotion," said Stacy, who lives in Poplar Bluff, Mo. "People seem to be frustrated with the whole situation and we're here just to be a listening ear."

The Red Cross relief effort -- which has already reached $15 million -- could exceed $43 million, depending on the severity of the flooding.

To date, $3.2 million has been raised, well short of available funds needed to cover relief efforts. Jeff Towers, chief development officer for the American Red Cross, said the organization's Disaster Relief Fund is depleted and they will have to borrow to pay for the operation.

But, he noted, the Red Cross remains committed to the response.

"In a troubled economy, effects are on individuals' discretionary income," Towers said. "With the rising food and fuel prices, people are forced to make decisions. And many times they cut back on their charitable donations."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

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