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River Overflows Missouri Levee; Collapse Feared

Severe storms won't let up in soaked Ohio, Miss. River valleys

By the Associated Press

Posted Apr 25, 2011 4:36 PM CDT | Updated Apr 25, 2011 6:25 PM CDT

(AP) – Thousands of southeastern Missouri residents watched helplessly today as Black River water crept toward their homes after overflowing the levee protecting their town, as officials predicted a "catastrophic failure." Several homes in and around Poplar Bluff were partially submerged, while water filled the front yards of other houses. The river topped the levee in multiple spots, raising concerns that it would give way under the weight of inch after inch of rain that has been falling since the weekend. "It was too late for sandbagging. There are too many places. All we can do is wait and see," Police Chief Danny Whiteley said. A levee break would send water flowing into the city's south side and likely displace about 7,000 people.

Smaller evacuations also took place from Kentucky to Arkansas as rivers and lakes continued to rise. Forecasters called for severe storms that will drop more heavy rain across the lower Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, compounding the misery from a storm system that pounded the region in the past week, spawning tornadoes. Some places have seen up to 15 inches already, and the worst flooding may not come until Wednesday. Two storms with heavy rain and possible tornadoes are moving into the region, with northeast Texas, eastern Oklahoma, and Arkansas expected to feel the brunt, says a meteorologist. Areas in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee are expected to get several more inches of rain, and he predicted "substantial" flooding.

Ricky Lewis, left, and Brandie Rush fill sand bags in front of a home owned by Lewis in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio River in Utica have been evacuating.
Ricky Lewis, left, and Brandie Rush fill sand bags in front of a home owned by Lewis in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio River in Utica have been evacuating.   (Darron Cummings)
Leo Meyer helps a neighbor tie off part of his dock from flood waters in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio River have been evacuating in advance of flooding,
Leo Meyer helps a neighbor tie off part of his dock from flood waters in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio River have been evacuating in advance of flooding,   (Darron Cummings)
In an April 24, 2011 photo, Liesha and Ray Lawson, of Dayton, Ky., check the rising water of the Ohio River in Covington, Ky..
In an April 24, 2011 photo, Liesha and Ray Lawson, of Dayton, Ky., check the rising water of the Ohio River in Covington, Ky..   (Patrick Reddy)
The rising Ohio River surrounds Riverview East Academy, Monday, April 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The rising Ohio River surrounds Riverview East Academy, Monday, April 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio.   (Al Behrman)
John Deplada moves items out of a home into a moving truck in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio River have been evacuating in advance of flooding.
John Deplada moves items out of a home into a moving truck in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio River have been evacuating in advance of flooding.   (Darron Cummings)
Randy Sager walks through flood waters in front of his home in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio River have been evacuating in advance of predicted flooding,
Randy Sager walks through flood waters in front of his home in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio River have been evacuating in advance of predicted flooding,   (Darron Cummings)
The rising Ohio River covers the track at River Downs horse racing track, Monday, April 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The river is expected to crest late Monday.
The rising Ohio River covers the track at River Downs horse racing track, Monday, April 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The river is expected to crest late Monday.   (Al Behrman)
Residents in Utica, Ind., take photos and view the rain-swollen Ohio River, Monday, April 25, 2011.
Residents in Utica, Ind., take photos and view the rain-swollen Ohio River, Monday, April 25, 2011.   (Darron Cummings)
Bruce Cunningham retrieves items nest to a home along the Ohio River in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio have been evacuating ahead of predicted flooding.
Bruce Cunningham retrieves items nest to a home along the Ohio River in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio have been evacuating ahead of predicted flooding.   (Darron Cummings)
Leo Meyer helps a neighbor tie off part of his dock from flood waters in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio have been evacuating ahead of predicted flooding,
Leo Meyer helps a neighbor tie off part of his dock from flood waters in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio have been evacuating ahead of predicted flooding,   (Darron Cummings)
Leo Meyer views the flood waters from his deck in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio River have been evacuating their homes in advance of predicted flooding.
Leo Meyer views the flood waters from his deck in Utica, Ind., Monday, April 25, 2011. Residents along the rain-swollen Ohio River have been evacuating their homes in advance of predicted flooding.   (Darron Cummings)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 18 comments
Buckshot
Apr 26, 2011 12:16 PM CDT
Live in a flood plane and hate paying taxes, this is exactly what happens when your major political interest is giveaways to the rich and big business. This is just the beginning of infrastructure failures in a country where one party give oath to a organization to never raise taxes, instead of looking to see what needs doing. Get a clue conservatives.
BlueAyez
Apr 25, 2011 7:33 PM CDT
Infrastructure? IN fra struct ure? We don't need no stinking INfrastructure!
SilenceDogood
Apr 25, 2011 5:59 PM CDT
For your listening pleasure; a wonder rendition of ‘Old Man River” by the immortal Paul Robeson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh9WayN7R-s&feature=related

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severe weather • flood • flooding • rain • Mississippi River • levees • levee threat • Ohio River

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