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American Morning

Fight Against the Flood Continues Along Mississippi River

Aired April 20, 2001 - 11:32   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We are rechecking our top story for you right now, the battle against flood waters goes on today along the Mississippi River and the Upper Midwest. While parts of the region are waiting for the Mississippi to reach its highest level, the river has already crested in areas such as La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Now, a couple of days ago, we spoke with Marjorie Collins, who was coping with the flooding on French Island, which is near La Crosse. Let's go back and check on Marjorie now and see how she's doing. She's on the phone right now.

Marjorie, how are you?

MARJORIE COLLINS. LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN RESIDENT: I'm just fine. Happy birthday, Leon.

(LAUGHTER)

COLLINS: Happy 40th.

HARRIS: Thank you, Marjorie. Don't tell me that they put you up to that, too?

COLLINS: Nope.

(LAUGHTER)

HARRIS: Don't you have something else to do with the water up there? Thank you, Marjorie. That is awfully sweet for you. And listen, I don't need anything for my birthday, but did you get your boat back?

COLLINS: Nope.

HARRIS: You didn't get the boat back?

COLLINS: We're in no hurry for it.

HARRIS: Well, How do things look for you today?

COLLINS: Well, things look better. It's dropped only about 3 inches or so. It's better from that standpoint, but the weather report is terrible, and it's very muggy here and very cloudy and gloomy. So, we're in for thunderstorms. We don't need anymore rain, and I guess we're going to get it, uninvited.

HARRIS: Now, last time we talked, you said that you were going to stay no matter what.

COLLINS: Oh, yes. People around here do that live on the water.

HARRIS: Well, with the threat of the rain, that's not going to be enough to send you out?

COLLINS: No, because we're up high enough, but it's all around us. Yesterday, we had the minnows going on one side and the ducks going down the streets. The waterfowl's very confused around here this year.

HARRIS: That's some picture. By the way, are you taking pictures of all this stuff?

COLLINS: Yes, I am.

HARRIS: I'll bet. Are you taking video pictures, too?

COLLINS: No, I am not.

HARRIS: So, you're going to stay no matter how bad this rain gets, even if the rain comes down so heavily, that perhaps it comes well into the house. You're still going to stay?

COLLINS: Yes, some of the pictures that are on right now have been taken from our backyard, I think.

HARRIS: OK, now, has that gotten worse or better in the last couple of days since we talked?

COLLINS: Oh, it's better because it crested and it is going down. But what we fear is that these rains will bring it back up to, you know, to crest again.

HARRIS: Has any of your family or any of your friends tried to talk you out of this sticking, digging your heels in there?

COLLINS: No, it's just one of those things that the people in La Crosse -- see, it's a river town, and we -- everyone that lives on the river, loves the river and we take it.

HARRIS: Well, La Crosse...

COLLINS: And then the next one.

HARRIS: ... La Crosse is more than just a river town, La Crosse is the river.

COLLINS: Yes, you're right, and the mighty Mississippi is definitely mighty.

HARRIS: All right, Marjorie, you be careful. You take care.

COLLINS: Thank you.

HARRIS: Marjorie Collins in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on French Island near La Crosse and will try to keep an eye and ear on her and make sure she's doing all right and maybe if she does eventually get her boat back.

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