Some rivers receding, but Mississippi River remains high
Posted May 05, 2017 7:00 am
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Floodwaters are receding in many hard-hit Midwestern communities, but the worst is yet to come on the Mississippi River.
Heavy rain last weekend prompted a sudden rise in rivers in the central U.S. Nine deaths have been blamed on floods and flash floods.
River levels are dropping along the Black River in Missouri and Arkansas, and the Meramec River in suburban St. Louis. Residents of the levee-protected part of Valley Park, Missouri, are to return home Friday.
But problems persist on the Mississippi River. A 14.5-mile stretch remains closed at St. Louis. A bridge is closed at Chester, Illinois. And sandbagging volunteers are trying to protect homes in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
The Mississippi is expected to crest over the next couple of days at St. Louis and to the south.
Pacific building and fire inspectors look through Pacific Package Liquor to deem it safe for occupancy on E. Osage Street in Pacific, Mo., Wednesday, May 3, 2017. Heavy rains have swollen many rivers to record levels in parts of Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Five deaths have been blamed on flooding in Missouri, while hundreds of people have been displaced and thousands more are potentially in harm's way. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
The Associated Press
A deck floated from a mobile home landed in the middle of Second Street in downtown Pacific, Mo., Wednesday, May 3, 2017. Heavy rains have swollen many rivers to record levels in parts of Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Arkansas. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
The Associated Press
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department redirects traffic from the closed section of U.S. 63 between Walnut Ridge and Portia, Ark., Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (Staci Vandagriff/The Jonesboro Sun via AP)
The Associated Press
Building manager Larry Mueller waits for Pacific building and fire inspectors to finish looking over his antique store to deem it safe for occupancy Wednesday, May 3, 2017, in Pacific, Mo. Heavy rains have swollen many rivers to record levels in parts of Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Arkansas. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
The Associated Press
An Arkansas State trooper drives through the Wal-Mart parking lot in a humvee Wednesday May 3, 2017, in the heavily flooded East Pocahontas, Ark. Downpours that dumped up to a foot of rain in parts of the nationâs midsection last weekend led to the sudden surge of water. (Stephen B. Thornton/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
The Associated Press
A concrete company, bottom, a Wal-Mart, top center, and other businesses are under water Wednesday May 3, 2017, along U.S. 67 in the heavily flooded East Pocahontas, Ark.. Downpours that dumped up to a foot of rain in parts of the nationâs midsection last weekend led to the sudden surge of water. (Stephen B. Thornton/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
The Associated Press
A military vehicle, left, and a truck pulling a boat pass in front of flooded businesses under water along U.S. 67 Wednesday, May 3, 2017, in the heavily flooded East Pocahontas, Ark. Downpours that dumped up to a foot of rain in parts of the nationâs midsection last weekend led to the sudden surge of water. (Stephen B. Thornton/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
The Associated Press
The murky waters of the Black River swell out of their banks in this view looking east with U.S. 67, at left, Wednesday, May 3, 2017, in Pocahontas, Ark. Downpours that dumped up to a foot of rain in parts of the nationâs midsection last weekend led to the sudden surge of water. (Stephen B. Thornton/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
The Associated Press
Debris covers the road Wednesday May 3, 2017, as a BNSF Railway work truck passes through water flowing over Hwy. 63 east of Portia, Ark. Water topped highway 63, forcing its closure and also topped the rail line which parallels the highway. Downpours that dumped up to a foot of rain in parts of the nationâs midsection last weekend led to the sudden surge of water. (Stephen B. Thornton/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
The Associated Press
The murky waters of the Black River surround businesses and two cars along U.S. 67 in Pocahontas, Ark. Wednesday May 3, 2017. Downpours that dumped up to a foot of rain in parts of the nationâs midsection last weekend led to the sudden surge of water. (Stephen B. Thornton/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.