RIVER HITS A CREST, RECEDES, BUT THE WORST IS NOT OVER YET

The Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau reached a crest Friday and is receding slightly, but the worst is not over.

After a crest Friday of 46.6 feet, the National Weather Service is predicting another crest of 47 feet on Aug. 3.

On Saturday, the river was at 46.4 feet, down two-tenths of a foot from Friday.

The river stage was predicted to be 46.3 feet today, 46.2 feet Monday and 46 feet on Tuesday.

But as more water comes flowing from the north, the river will begin to rise again.

"I don't think any of us are really surprised. We've been watching The Weather Channel and kind of saw it coming. But it is disheartening because people have fought so long and hard," said Martha Vandivort with Cape Girardeau County's Emergency Operations Center.

"Just when it seems like it's going to be over, it really isn't over."

Vandivort said, "Maybe a few days rest will be good. It's been a long pull and people are tired. But we've got to buck up and start the fight again."

In Dutchtown Saturday, sandbags were stockpiled and volunteers patrolled the sandbag levee looking for problems.

The river stage in New Madrid Saturday was 33.8 feet, up slightly. The stage in Caruthersville was 33 feet, also a rise.