Rivers rising relentlessly; Memphis-area evacuations, preparations pick up

[marmar]

from Memphis Commercial-Appeal:




Rivers rising relentlessly; Memphis-area evacuations, preparations pick up
Mississippi heading to 48 feet on Tuesday

By Tom Charlier
Posted May 7, 2011 at 9:48 p.m., updated May 7, 2011 at 11:14 p.m.





Waves lapped across Tom Lee Park, kayakers paddled over parts of Mud Island and Memphis officials completed the last of their planned flood gate-closings Saturday as the Mississippi River rolled ever farther on its epic, record-setting rampage.

On a day when the river rose to within about 18 inches of its highest stage ever in Memphis, authorities were bracing for a crest that will come 24 hours earlier than previously forecast. The Mississippi, which surged past 47 feet on Saturday, now is expected to top out on Tuesday morning, with the stage of the crest still forecast to reach 48 feet on the Memphis gauge.

That level is just below the all-time high of 48.7 feet set during the 1937 flood, although in several other areas the Mississippi already has shattered records.

The Memphis area received an unexpected shower Saturday, bringing anywhere from one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch of rain. But that precipitation "is not going to make a difference" in the Mississippi's stages, said National Weather Service meteorologist Richard Okulski, and no significant rain is expected before the river starts dropping later this week. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/may/07/rivers-rising-relentlessly-memphis-area-evacuation/

[AC_Mem]

1. Memphis here

I'm in a suburb, probably 20 miles from downtown so will ((hopefully)) stay dry, but there are no guarantees anywhere right now, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. They are saying that the waters may not recede until June!!!!

I am grateful that this has not turned out to be much worse than it is, although it is very bad if you live near the Mississippi.

Annette

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Am I correct in "remembering" the Miss. has been flooding a lot in recent years?

[AC_Mem]

3. I've been here over 20 years

Have never heard of it flooding like this!

Annette