Posted on 04/27/2011 10:08:43 AM PDT by silentknight
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 ~ Updated 11:06 AM
By M.D. Kittle ~ Southeast Missourian
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this hour is setting up a joint information center in Sikeston, Mo., and has tentatively scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m., according to a corps spokeswoman, although the timing has yet to be confirmed. Officials at the headquarters could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, a barge loaded with explosives was making its way from Memphis, Tenn., to Charleston, Mo., destined for the Birds Point levee as the ash gray sky prepares to unleash more heavy rains and a big decision hangs in the balance.
The Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday postponed its decision on a proposal to blow a huge hole in the levee, just downriver of the confluence. The procedure was put in place years ago as a desperate bid to reduce the amount of water moving down the Mississippi River, taking pressure off a soddened Cairo, Ill.
Mary Statum, a spokeswoman for the Corps of Engineers Memphis District, could not comment on whether a decision on breaching the levy had been reached this morning. She said corps officials met with the multistate Mississippi River Commission for several hours Tuesday but came to no conclusion.
"We're not going to make a decision until we have to," she said Tuesday. "It's nothing we want to just jump into. You don't take it lightly. We decided we can wait a little longer."
In Cairo, and Alexander County, the water keeps rising, as the hectic pace of sandbagging continues and a voluntary evacuation remains in effect.
Alexander County Sheriff's Department dispatcher Sheila Dodson said the worst of the flooding is hitting the small community of Olive Branch. The heavy rains forecast for today, Dodson said, will only add "insult to injury" to a water-logged county.
The Mississippi is expected to crest at Cape Girardeau on Friday about four feet lower than the record-setting amount in 1993. At Cairo, Ill., not too far from Birds Point, the Ohio is expected to set a record Friday, and it is already 17 feet above flood stage. Forecasts call for the river to rise by another four feet by Friday.
Look for updates at semissourian.com, and in Thursday's Southeast Missourian.
We need a Lancaster bomber for this detail.
Wow, could this turn into another ‘93? Remember standing on the flood wall at Hannibal, BGH?
Upon further reading, I see it’s the Army Corps of Engineers.
A branch of the governmental terrorist bureau!!!
There’s nothing to relax about. I bet you don’t farm do you?
Not currently, but I grew up on one that fed us and several neighbors. I know all about the farming.
Bet you don't live in town where the water is destroying homes and businesses, do you?
Why didn’t they just call President Bush? According to the left he blew up the New Orleans levee himself. Of course high explosives are more exciting.
Cairo is projected to break the old flood level of 59.50 feet set in 1937. Having both the Ohio river and the Mississippi river at major flood stage at the same time last happened about 20 years ago.
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pah&gage=ciri2&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1%22
Indeed!
“Reading the title, I figured it was terrorists”....
Me too! Glad I read the fine print...what a misleading headline...geez!
With a Wallis bomb?
Meanwhile, we can’t get rain in West Texas. Only 0.20 of an inch of rain in 7 months.
I just about can’t take this weather anymore, nor the fire and smoke coming with it.
It is dry here, but it’s not supposed to be this dry. I miss Kansas spring rains ridiculously right now.
bye bye Ms American Pie
Drove a POS Chevy to the levee but the levee was
KABOOOOOMMM!
This is ridiculous if the goal is to “save” Cairo, Il. I would not trade one Charleston, Bertrand, or Sikeston, Mo. for TEN Cairos. Typical C of E idiocy if this is the stated goal.
Upon further reading, I see it’s the Army Corps of Engineers. To hear the liberals and media tell it during the Bush/Katrina crisis, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.
You don’t live here - I do - and that settles it for me.
I thought Rumsfeld helped him while Cheney stayed behind in DC to run the weather machine.
And those same liberals and media will consider this proof that Dick Cheney dynamited the levees in Nawlins.
Hmmm. A large barge full of explosives - Sounds like Rosie O’Donnell wearing an explosives vest floating down the Mississippi.
First thing that came to my mind. Spike Lee is furiously taking notes right now, LOL.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.