FLOOD CURFEW POSSIBLE

JACKSON -- As in the 1993 flood, the Cape Girardeau County Commission and the city of Cape Girardeau may jointly impose a curfew today on flooded areas.

County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Miller told the commission this week the National Weather Service had indicated the Mississippi River would crest at 46 feet next Tuesday.

Already roads at Neelys Landing are flooded. Miller predicted roads around Allenville and Whitewater would be under water soon, along with Highways 25 and 74 near Dutchtown, which floods when the river reaches 43 feet.

The county will provide empty sandbags for residents whose homes are in danger.

City and county officials also are considering a curfew on flooded areas to prevent looting. As homeowners are forced to vacate their residences, thieves sometimes take boats into the area. Sheriff's deputies would guard open roads and ask drivers to show some form of identification and give a reason for entering the area before they were allowed to pass.

"We're set up for a worse situation than in 1993," Sheriff John Jordan said. "At that time, the Ohio River wasn't up and allowed for some relief. Now it's up too, along with the diversion channel and the Castor River."

Mark Winkler, area coordinator for the State Emergency Management Agency, told the commission the county was at the forefront of discussions about disasters in Missouri. The Unmet Needs Committee already is looking into helping families whose homes were damaged by high winds early Thursday morning.

Winkler said Gov. Mel Carnahan has activated the Missouri National Guard, and county officials may request help, if needed.