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CNN Sunday Morning

Rain Could Worsen Flooding in Midwest

Aired April 22, 2001 - 08:08   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The swollen Mississippi River is still causing flooding in states along its banks. The river has crested in some states, but in parts of Iowa, that may not happen until sometime this week.

CNN national correspondent, Bob Franken, has more now from Davenport, Iowa. And it's already raining, Bob. Here it goes.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Your finely tuned powers of observation are probably led to the conclusion that it's raining here, and it is. And of course, rain is very bad right now. Heavy rain would be even worse as the city of Davenport, Iowa waits for a crest on the Mississippi River, which is now expected to come on Monday night or perhaps in Tuesday morning, a crest that is going to be higher than they really prepared for.

They built a sand bag levy that is 23 feet high in anticipation of a crest of about 21 feet. Unfortunately, the prediction now is for 22-and-a-half and that's about this distance. It's cutting it very close. But nevertheless, the people say they're optimistic here.

The problem here is that there is no permanent sea wall. The decision was made that to bring in the tourists, they wanted to allow an unencumbered view of the river. Therefore, each time there is a flood threat they have to go through this exercise and frantically building a levy.

Now, they've given up over there. That's John O'Donald Stadium where the single A baseball Davenport River Bandits play. But of course, they're not playing now. I'd hate to be a groundskeeper when this is all through because apparently they have not been able to really shore up the area around the stadium. They've not been able to block off the water and they've given up. It's going to be underwater. Perhaps it'll be a water polo stadium when we're through.

Now, right over there, you can see is the Mississippi River. Unfortunately, it's supposed to be over there. It's supposed to be about 100 yards further over toward Illinois. This is the quad city area that separates two cities -- the river does -- Illinois and Iowa. And right now, it has overflowed its banks. Things are expected to get worse.

Officials say they still believe that they are prepared for the worst but if they're not, there could be very, very serious problems here.

Davenport, Iowa is the largest city without sea wall protection. They're working very hard to see if they can come up with that protection. Meanwhile, there is a rainstorm going on here. Some lightening and a fear that it could get worse and if it does get worse big problems could happen here -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Bob, seawall protection may come up at the next city council meeting. Bob Franken thanks so much.

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