Themis Street floodgate in Cape Girardeau closed ahead of expected rain

A slowly rising Mississippi River again forced the closing of the Themis Street floodgate in downtown Cape Girardeau as weather forecasts continued to call for heavy rain through Friday morning.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a notice that one of its flood-control lakes in the region is full, two others are already taking in more water than they are discharging, and that it is monitoring the lakes closely in case releases must be increased if heavy rains materialize.

The Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau was 34.34 feet at 5 p.m. Wednesday, 2.34 feet above flood stage. It is predicted to crest at 37 feet Friday. Additional rain could push that forecast higher.

National Weather Service forecasters in Paducah, Ky., issued statements predicting about a half-inch of rain by daylight today, with rain continuing during the morning to early afternoon. There will be a short respite, the forecast office noted, with a final deluge bringing up to 3 inches of rain as the main brunt of the storm sweeps through the area overnight.

There is storage space remaining in Wappapello Lake in Missouri and on Carlyle Lake in Illinois, the corps reported. Wappapello Lake controls flooding on the St. Francis River, while Carlyle Lake controls flows on the Kaskaskia River. Illinois' Rend Lake, which controls the Big Muddy River's flows into the Mississippi River north of Cape Girardeau, is full.

The corps is asking everyone living downstream from the lakes to pay close attention to media reports because it is possible that excess rain could cause all three to exceed their design capacity and allow water to flow uncontrolled downstream.

Additional help for victims of the floods that hit the region March 18 and 19 was announced by Gov. Matt Blunt, who said federal officials have waived a rule requiring people on food stamps who lost their benefits transfer card or food to apply within 10 days for replacement.

The food stamp time limit became an issue as large numbers of people began apply for replacement cards or to be compensated for lost food, state Department of Social Services director Deborah Scott said in a news release.

With the waiver of the time limit, food stamp recipients have until April 10 to apply for replacement of lost food or benefits cards. To find out about eligibility, contact the local Family Support Division office.

-- Rudi Keller