Two local agencies have teamed up to provide help for victims of the Mississippi River flooding.

"Anticipation is the name of the game," said Capt. Elmer Trapp of the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau. Those needing help should ask soon.

The Salvation Army is coordinating assistance for people who want to sandbag their property and help for those evacuating.

The American Red Cross is providing lodging for families forced from their homes by the rising water.

On Thursday, the first shelter was opened at Lynwood Baptist Church, Lynwood and Randol. By Friday afternoon, six families were staying at the shelter.

Mary Burton, executive director of the Red Cross, estimated as many as 60 families will be forced from their homes by the rising water.

"We have shelter agreements with local churches and schools," Burton said. "We were projecting the shelters to open next week, but we started getting calls Thursday."

The shelter at Lynwood Baptist Church is temporary, Burton said. No shower facilities are available. The shelter will move to First Baptist Church, 926 Broadway, as soon as air conditioning at the church is repaired.

Burton said additional shelters will be opened as needed. If a large number of families need housing, Burton said the A.C. Brase Arena Building could be converted to a shelter.

"This is not going to be an overnight thing," Burton said.

The Red Cross, in coordination with the Missouri Baptist Association, will be feeding victims and volunteers through the duration of the flood.

Personnel care kits, with items like toothbrushes, soap, combs and deodorant, are available from the chapter office.

"We are paying for storage for people's possessions," Burton said. "It costs much less to pay for storage than to purchase new items."

However, all storage facilities in Cape Girardeau and Jackson are full. "We are contacting out-of-town facilities," Burton said.

If victims can get their belongings to a storage facility, the Red Cross will pay the rental charge. She said trucks are available to help with moving by calling 334-3211.

The Red Cross also has money available to purchase new clothing, groceries, medications, bedding and other items to meet emergency needs.

But victims must contact the Red Cross for help. "We don't go to the victim," Burton said. "They must come to us." Call the Red Cross at 335-9471.

The Salvation Army is coordinating sandbagging and evacuation efforts.

"If someone needs sandbagging, they can contact us," Trapp said. "But they need to plan ahead. It takes a little while to fill these sandbags."

The same is true for people who may need to evacuate. Trapp said help is available to move personal belongings, including furniture out of homes, but people need to plan ahead.

"If a house is surrounded with water, probably we cannot help someone move things out of a house then," he said. "Call early so we can help."

Call the Salvation Army at 335-7000.

Free sand is available at the Main Street parking lot and at Red Star Baptist Church parking lot in Cape Girardeau. Sand is also available in Dutchtown at the intersection of Highways 25 and 74.

Sandbags are available through the Corps of Engineers office in the Federal Building, 339 Broadway, from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Sandbags are also available at the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department, 215 N. High, in Jackson.