Emergency personnel report breach in Fayville levee

Editor's note: This story has been updated with the corrected spelling of the town in Illinois where a levee was breached.

THEBES, Ill. -- Emergency management in Alexander County, Ill. reported just before 10 a.m. today a breach at a levee in Fayville just south of the railroad bridge near Thebes.

This could cause more flooding in Olive Branch, Tamms and possibly, Cairo, Ill. The flooding will likely close Highway 3, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman Jim Pogue said around 10:15 a.m. he was unaware of the breach, but it would likely be a factor in Maj. Gen. Michael Walsh's decision on the Birds Point-New Madrid flood way.

Top corps officials postponed an 11 a.m. briefing today when Walsh stopped to survey the situation in Cairo, Ill. Pogue had said the decision to breach the Birds Point levee would be made following the meeting. No word has been given on a new time for the briefing.