WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTS RIVER CREST ON FRIDAY AT 35.5 FEET

The National Weather Service has revised its Mississippi River flood crest for Cape Girardeau, and warns additional heavy rainfall between now and the weekend could alter the latest flood crest prediction.

The weather service says the river at Cape is now expected to crest Friday at 35.5 feet, one-half foot, and one day later than predicted Monday.

The river here was at 31.5 feet at 7 a.m. Tuesday - one-half foot below flood stage (32 feet) - a rise of 3.3 feet. It was forecast to rise to 33.2 feet today, 34.7 on Thursday, and 35.5 feet Friday. But forecasters caution these stages could be affected by heavy rains and thunderstorms forecast today and tonight in southern Missouri and Illinois.

Even at 35.5 feet, no serious flooding problems are expected in Cape Girardeau. A spokesman for the Main Street Levee District said a decision on whether to close the Themis Street flood gate won't be made until later in the week.

C. A. "Andy" Juden, Jr., said the decision will depend on the three-day river forecasts that are issued today and Thursday. Juden said the Themis Street flood gate is normally shut when the river is between 35.5 and 36 feet, to prevent wave action from passing towboats spilling water onto Water Street.