Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

FEMA Official Discusses Midwest Flooding

Aired May 14, 2002 - 12:04   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Rivers still rising in parts of the Midwest, where flooding now blamed for three deaths on Sunday. I'll show you the scene this morning in Grafton, Illinois, where the Illinois River meets the mighty Mississippi. Clear skies today, but many of the region's rivers remain days away from cresting. And that could be tough news soon. All that means a number of cities along the major rivers remain in continuous danger of flooding. Two deaths in Missouri already to go with one in Ohio.

In St. Louis, flood waters creeping near the Gateway Arch. The Mississippi expected to crest tomorrow at nine feet above flood stage in St. Louis. By telephone now in St. Louis, Susie Stoner, of FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is with us now -- can you hear me OK?

SUSIE STONER, STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY: Yes, but I'm with the State Emergency Management Agency.

HEMMER: Not a problem, we're doing it on the fly, but thank you for the clarification.

STONER: OK.

HEMMER: Tell us what's the condition now?

STONER: Basically, the Missouri River and the Mississippi River and our tributaries are all at flood stage. The rain that's been coming in for the last couple of days, we've got a break hopefully. It will allow the crest (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and start going down before the next batch of rain starts coming in.

HEMMER: Susie, crest coming when?

STONER: Today is the 14th -- today, tomorrow and on the 16th are when the crests are expected before the next series of rainstorms will be coming in.

HEMMER: So you're thinking Thursday of this week, is that right?

STONER: Yes.

HEMMER: And at what height will that river reach?

STONER: In St. Louis, it's expected to crest at almost 39 feet; flood stage is 30 feet. So that's almost nine feet above.

HEMMER: And how much danger could that pose, nine feet above flood stage?

STONER: For low-lying areas, we're encouraging people to seek higher ground. Obviously, we've got areas that people are already out of the areas. We're encouraging people not to drive on any road that has water. Many of our flood deaths have been related to people driving over roads and being swept away.

HEMMER: We're going to talk to Jacqui Jeras in a minute about the forecast, but what are you hearing, Ms. Stoner, in your area about later in the week?

STONER: Later in the week we expect that -- the National Weather Service is saying that we may get rain coming in late Thursday, possibly Friday, definitely for sure on Saturday.

HEMMER: All right. Good luck, OK?

STONER: Thank you.

HEMMER: Susie Stoner, out of St. Louis.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com