The Mississippi River keeps rising. Part of I-40 in Arkansas is closed. Memphians are preparing sand bags. The extreme end of Beale Street has water lapping near it.
This was the headline today in the USA Today:
"Stretch of Mississippi River closed as Memphis braces for near-record flood"
By closed, they mean it's closed to river barge traffic. They went on to say: "This morning in Memphis, the river reached the 'major flood stage,' rising to 46.1 feet and eclipsing the 45.8-foot level of the 1927 flood. As a result, officials closed the popular Mud Island River Park."
Yesterday, I went to what's called Mud Island River Park to see for myself. Yesterday I could go there, but today, the park is closed.
You can read about what USA Today said here and what the Memphis Commercial-Appeal said here.
The river is expected to crest next Wednesday at 48+ feet above gauge zero.
Above: Many trees on Mud Island are submerged where the Mississippi River is outside its banks.
Above: To get to Mud Island Park, I took the monorail.
Above: Even though Memphis is on a bluff, some businesses are placing sand bags to protect their facilities on a just-in-case basis (more symbolic than practical).
Images by MOJO and taken with my P&S.
My boss is heading to Memphis this weekend for her son's graduation from college. Should be interesting.
ReplyDeleteYou let women boss you around everywhere it seems, Sparky.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear more than a glug-glug coming from you, Mojo. Gaia has certainly kept things from being boring in your neck of the woods for all spring.
Holy crap! That's terrible! Hope you're safe and sound. From what you said, they'll be singing the blues on Beale Street!
ReplyDelete