Community | May 10, 2011 | 23 comments

Mississippi River cresting; Louisiana prepares for rising waters

source: http://abcnews.go.com/US/mississippi-flooding-river-cresting-louisiana-prepares-rising-water...

JanforGore
The Mississippi River crested this morning as authorities turn their attention downstream to Louisiana, where residents are preparing for more of the historic flooding that has devastated numerous communities.

The National Weather Service said the Mississippi River has reached 47.85 feet according to the Associated Press.

The river is will likely to stay to that level in the couple of days, officials said.

Residents of Vidalia, La., have been warned to start working on an evacuation plan. City officials have already evacuated the hospital. Vidalia is directly located across the river from Natchez, Miss.

Officials said the river is expected to crest at a record level there on May 21. Businesses owners and residents have been preparing for the worst by filling sandbags Monday.

"I've been through several floods. And this is the big one. And I am very nervous," said Carla Jenkins, a business owner in Vidalia.

Record flooding is expected in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and the Mississippi cities of Vicksburg and Natchez.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan on opening three major spillways in Louisiana today and possibly the Morganza and Atchafalaya Spillway near Baton Rouge.

Memphis Keeps Close Eye on Flood Waters

In Memphis, the river has crested, but the danger of flooding has not disappeared. While the river's maximum elevation may have been reached, officials said they will continue to monitor the levees.

"We're going to wait until the water goes down a whole lot more and then we'll celebrate success," said Cory Williams of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Authorities expected the levees will protect the city's landmarks, Graceland and Beale Street.

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  1. groups:
    Community,   Green,   Culture,   Earth and Science,   4 more
  2. tags:
    Environment,  Economy,  Floods,  U.S.,  8 more
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23 comments // Mississippi River cresting; Louisiana prepares for rising waters

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