MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 12, 2005 – The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, lowered the level of their floodfighting activities to Phase I at 6 a.m. today, and closed field offices in Cape Girardeau and Caruthersville, Mo., and Dyersburg, Tenn. Memphis District commander Col. Charles O. Smithers III made this decision based upon the Jan. 11 river forecast. The forecast showed a crest of 51.0 feet in Cairo, IL on Jan. 18.
The lands still affected by the current high water remain along the Mississippi River on the west bank at Scott City, Missouri, to the Arkansas-Missouri state line and on the east bank from Cairo, Illinois.
The Memphis District began floodfighting work on Jan. 7 when it initiated Phase I of the effort. Col. Smithers elevated the response level to Phase II on Jan. 10, based upon forecasts then calling for significantly higher river crests at Cairo, Ill., and Cape Girardeau, Mo.
During Phase I floodfight activities, Corps of Engineers personnel will continue to monitor all federal flood control works including levees, flood walls and pumping stations. If river levels reverse their current trends and begin rising, the Corps may once again return to a Phase II floodfighting posture.
Release no. 05-03