STORMS PROMPT NEW CREST FOR RIVER

On the left, Mike and Joe Layton, sons of Ron and Vickie Layton of Cape Girardeau, tossed sticks into the Mississippi River Tuesday.

Dark skies, heavy rains mixed with hail, lightning and strong winds swept over a wide area of Southeast Missouri Tuesday morning.

No serious damages were reported, but minor flooding was reported in streets and creeks. Today's forecast calls for more of the same -- scattered showers and thunderstorms locally with some heavy rains possible.

Tuesday rains have already resulted in a new Mississippi River crest figure at Cape Girardeau. The National Weather Service in St. Louis reported the river stage here today at 37.6 feet with a crest expected Saturday at 38.5. A crest had been expected Tuesday afternoon at 37.7.

The Broadway flood gate along Water Street may be closed today, according to a spokesman from the Main Street Levee District, which keeps watch on the river. The gates are closed before the river reaches the 38.8-foot mark.

"During the course of the Tuesday storms we had winds that approached 50 miles per hour in numerous locations," said Brian Miller, Cape Girardeau County Emergency Services coordinator.

Miller added that hail was reported from "pea size to quarter size" in various areas of Cape Girardeau.

"We had one unconfirmed citizen report of baseball-size hail from an area in Bollinger County," Miller said.

Bright and severe flashes of lightning were observed in the northern half of Cape County as the storms moved through the area, Miller said, adding that no major damage or personal injury was reported.

Light hail, heavy rains, lightning and hail were reported in Perryville and Cape Girardeau, flooding some streets in the two cities.

Barricades have been placed at a section of East Cape Rock, near Cape Rock Park in Cape Girardeau.

And, in Perryville, some streets were flooded for a while, said Perryville Police Chief Eugene Besand. "But, no serious damages were reported."

Today's outlook for much of the Southeast Missouri was for showers and thunderstorms and the extended forecast called for a chance of showers and thunderstorms into Thursday.

"We've had a very quiet spring so far," Miller said. "But, Tuesday's thunderstorms should serve as a reminder that we are in the middle of the storm season here.

"We cannot stop tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, hail, lightning or flash floods from occurring, but we can save lives and protect property by being prepared," he said.

Knowing what to do, or where to go when severe weather threatens can make the difference between life and death, Miller said. Lightning and flash flooding usually pose danger to people during severe weather.

"Many people do not realize the power of flowing water," Miller said. "Trees, buildings, vehicles and people are easily swept away by floodwaters."

Miller adds that if lightning threatens, move indoors, and avoid windows, doors, and metal objects. Avoid using electrical instruments. Use telephones only in an emergency. If you're caught outdoors in a thunderstorm stay away from isolated trees."

The basement is the best place to go inside. An interior bathroom is often the safest place when no basement is available. If you don't have time to get to the basement or bathroom, get under a table and cover your head.

When a tornado or severe thunderstorm with powerful winds approaches, leave mobile homes and vehicles and find shelter in designated storm shelters, under a bridge, or in a ditch. Do not try to outrun the storm.

"Be sure you know the difference between a severe weather watch and a severe weather warning," Miller continued. "A `watch' means severe weather, such as a tornado, strong winds, hail, lightning and heavy rains, may occur in your area. A `warning' means that severe weather is approaching and it is time to seek shelter from the storm."

Five Southeast Missouri counties are among the top 20 of Missouri's 114 counties in tornadoes reported over the past 40 years.

Dunklin County is sixth, Scott County 14th, Cape Girardeau County 17th, Mississippi County 18th and Stoddard County 19th.

Nationwide, Missouri ranks seventh in the number of tornadoes reported during the past 42 years. Texas is first.