U.S. Senator Roy Blunt visited the Cape Girardeau flood wall Friday to discuss ongoing efforts to assess area flood damage caused by record high water levels on the Mississippi River.
Stan Polivick, assistant public works director for the City of Cape Girardeau, said there is flooding north and south of the floodwall and its levy system, but inside, the city is dry. City crews have been on duty 24/7, inspecting the levies every six hours.
About 20 homes and five to eight businesses in Cape have been flooded, he said.
The Mississippi was expected to rise to 50 feet, but crested late Friday at 48.86 feet. “It’s a good test of the system,” said Blunt of the levy and floodwall holding back the river water.
Cape Mayor Harry Rediger praised the vision of those in the 1950s who built the levies and floodwall.
Polivick said it will be the middle of January before the water is below flood stage.
Governor Jay Nixon came to Cape Girardeau Saturday to assess flood damage.
