Levee breaks in Butler County; Broadway gate in Cape to close

Widespread flooding was reported in Southeast Missouri after a levee along the Black River failed for a second time in recent weeks.

Butler County fire chief Bob Fredwell said residents were evacuated early Saturday morning from about 50 homes east of Poplar Bluff, Mo., when the levee gave way.

Fredwell said no one was injured and his office hasn't had to perform any rescues.

He said the flooding was much less severe than last month. He said floodwaters in homes range from six inches to three feet deep.

The county's emergency management officials estimate the floodwaters will ultimately cover 15 to 20 square miles of Butler County. A flood warning has been issued for much of southern Missouri until this afternoon.

In Cape Girardeau, Andy Juden Jr., president of the Main Street Levee District, said Saturday that the Broadway floodgate will close at 3 p.m. today.

The Mississippi River had risen to 36.44 feet by 3 p.m. Saturday, 1.63 feet higher than it was at the same time the previous day.

The river's flood stage is 32 feet. Saturday morning, the National Weather Service issued a prediction the river would crest near 41.5 feet by Wednesday morning.

The Themis Street floodgate was closed Friday after the river reached 35 feet.

In St. Louis, the U.S. Coast Guard has closed a portion of the Mississippi River to recreational boaters because of extreme high water. The river is closed between the Chain of Rocks and the J.B. Bridge.

Authorities warned that boats could be flooded or sunk quickly by heavy debris now moving through the area and the swift current.

River pilots also are having difficulty navigating towing vessels through the St. Louis area of the river.

Staff writer Peg McNichol contributed to this report.