RIVER FORCES EVACUATIONS

Residents of Cape Girardeau's Red Star District and some in South Cape Girardeau Thursday were bracing once again against a rising Mississippi River, which is expected to drive many from their homes by week's end.

Thursday already was moving day for some in Red Star and elsewhere along the river in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

The Mississippi is forecast to crest at 46 feet at Cape Girardeau Tuesday. The river rose above 40 feet on the Cape Girardeau gauge Thursday, more than 8 feet above flood stage. Some residents said water will be seeping into their homes at 42 feet.

"At 46 feet, it'll be right at the edge of my house," said Dolores Neace of 410 Second St. "But I'm not taking any chances: I'm moving everything out."

Neace hoped to have all her belongings out by this morning. She plans to stay in her home until the water reaches her house and then stay with her mother.

"I've been here 33 years this month," she said. "I keep coming back because this is home."

But home claimed the life of Neace's husband during the record-setting 1993 flood. She said her husband, who suffered from heart problems, died battling the water when they moved out two years ago.

"I might not come back if I leave this time," she said.

Some residents of the 2000 block of South Sprigg also might not return to their homes after the river subsides.

Friends helping Alan Niswonger move out of his home at 2008 S. Sprigg had to wade through at least 2 feet of water to reach his front porch Thursday afternoon.

Niswonger has lived in the house his grandfather built since the late '70s. He said he might not return because the city has approached him about buying his house and possibly his neighbor's.

The river stage was at 40.74 feet late Thursday afternoon. At 46 feet, all of the floodgates protecting the downtown area would be closed and all of the streets in the Red Star District and South Cape Girardeau would be closed or inaccessible; also closed would be Highway 25 at Dutchtown, Highway 74, County roads 241, 223 at Allentown, 525 at Neelys Landing and 651 at Egypt Mills and more than 20 homes and 15 business would have water damage, according to the Cape Girardeau Fire Department's flood statistics.

Other areas in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois were keeping a watchful eye on the river.

The Salvation Army announced Thursday that aid had started to residents in Commerce and Dutchtown. People needing flood assistance or those interested in volunteering or sending a donation can contact the Salvation Army at 335-7000.

Officials in Cairo, Ill., closed one of two downtown floodgates protecting homes and businesses from the Ohio River Thursday afternoon and the other one is expected to be closed today.

The Ohio River at Cairo was expected to crest at 48 feet, still 4 1/2 feet below the depth that would flood the downtown area. But city officials didn't want to take any chances.

"With the floodgates closed, the levee is designed for a 60-foot stage," said Ronnie Harris, the city superintendent.

Alexander County officials north of Cairo on the Mississippi River were also are eying the water warily. When the Ohio River begins to rise, water begins to back up on the Mississippi, which could alter predicted crests, an official said.