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 Travis North of Finley covers his eyes from the Thursday afternoon sun to watch the rapidly rising Mississippi River floodwaters on Tennemo Road. North said last Sunday he was able to drive to the middle row of trees. On Thursday, he was able to watch the water move inland at about an inch a minute. |
On Friday morning, the Mississippi River at Caruthersville measured 35.9 feet. Flood stage is 32 feet, with a forecast crest early Tuesday of 41 feet or higher.
"We're preparing the best we can right now," said Dyer County Emergency Management Agency Director James Medling. "The [U.S. Army] Corps [of Engineers] is setting up for a flood fight."
 A fearless motorist drives through the backwater of the Mississippi River on Bunge Road about a mile north of the Tennessee-Missouri bridge. |
The 2008 spring flood, if it hits 41 feet, would rank in the top seven events since the Great Flood of 1937, which had a recorded crest of 46 feet.
The Dyersburg chapter of the American Red Cross on Thursday had accelerated plans for shelters for families in the flooded lands.
"We're definitely ready," said volunteer services director Linda Roberts. "We want anyone who think they may be affected to call us now and not to wait. We want them to get out now before they have to row out."
Three families from the Richwoods community had contacted the agency to arrange to temporarily resettle, said Roberts.
The First United Methodist Church family life center is the location for the shelter, she said.
Families or people seeking information about shelter can contact the local Red Cross chapter at (731) 286-4740; Roberts at (731) 334-9255; or volunteer John Davis at (731) 676-6869.
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Dang i wanted to go rideing this weekend. 4-wheels
will we be able to go fishing in finley?
How odd that the the previous commentors think this is funny. They definitely aren't farmers.
How many times have we all heard that you should NOT drive through water such as this?
PLEASE....DO NOT TRY TO BE A REBEL AND DRIVE THROUGH RISING FLOOD WATER!!
You NEVER know what could happen when you do this. Protect your life and those that could be with you in your vehicle.
About the farmer comment. we are you complaining you guys just file for lost crop like you do every year.
Is this part of global warming or has the Mississippi flooded its banks for a long time?
Sure, farmers really "milk" the system. We don't need the small farmer any longer. We can just give all the land to large commercial companies. After that we can get all kinds of tainted products from the wonderful Chinese. A long time ago, I heard someone say "We don't need farmers any more because we have microwaves". We need more small farmers who care about the land and animals. Hope the flood doesn't harm people or animals.
Just stop and think about how bad the economy would be if there wasn't all the 'little farmers' as you said. They are out there from daybreak until well after dark at times trying to make a living. There have been many nights I know a few farmers that had to get their crops in before it rained while you sleep without a concern in the world. You make your living in a factory or another job that you enjoy. They do the same. You know how to do your job well and that's the same thing they do and they do a VERY good job at it.
Nathaniel knows not of which he so ignorantly speaks! Comparing a farmer to a welfare recipient is absurd. Farmers work harder in a day than his tiny brain works all year. Farmers literally work by the sweat of their brow, but when is the last time you saw a lazy welfare recipient do any work? They are also self employed, which means they don't get free medical care as the welfare gang gets. The next time you order a sandwich, thank a farmer for the bread, the meat, the veggies and even the condiments. Keep your disrespectful mouth shut when it isn't full of food grown by farmers!