I guess it would flood all the way to Crawley's Ridge if the levee or seawall at Caruthersville failed.

From County Commissioner Jim Atchison: The purpose of this message is not to cause alarm or panic, but instead to remind each of us that we should be thoughtfully making plans and preparations should we need to evacuate our homes as we are threatened by historically high water levels and the possibility of flooding from the Mississippi River. Every effort is being made to ensure that flooding does not occur but each of us must face reality. Should the seawall in Caruthersville be overtopped by the River or if any other even should occur that causes compromise of our St. Francis Levee System, practically all of Pemiscot County could be inundated with flood water. The most current information, provided to us this morning, Tuesday, May 3rd by the St. Francis Levee System, is that the River is expected to crest at 49.5 ft on Friday, May 6th. The top of the seawall in Caruthersville is 50 ft. Therefore, we are most hopeful that all will be ok. Additionally the National Guard is creating a secondary line of protection, should such protection be needed. The efforts of the Levee District, the Corps of Engineers, the National Guard, the City of Caruthersville and the many other who have helped with the sandbagging efforts made thus far has been amazing. Yet we must be prepared. We have been reminded for many days that we should prepare. We still have time, but now is the time for action. We should take whatever steps are needed to be ready should flooding occur. We should be ready to take with us whatever we would need should we have to leave our homes. Clothing, food, prescriptions, plans for the care of elderly and incapacitated family and friends, provisions for our animals and pets, transportation and a preplanned destination are all important considerations. We should make these preparations now and be ready to take action without delay should the need arise. Should flooding occur, every available outside source will be obtained to help with our recovery. Help will be immediate should only limited flooding occur. However, our transportation network, including our Interstate Highway system may be affected. Therefore we should be mindful that outside help may not be immediate and that we may be fully responsible for our own care and maintenance in this or in any emergency. Should we need to leave our homes and if we are unable to take our pets with us, temporary care for our animals is available. The ASPCA and other volunteers are in our County and ready to help. Karol Wilcox of our Humane Society advises that we can call 573-333-0100 for help with temporary care of our pets. We must not abandon our animals. Also I remind you that we are absolutely forbidden to be on the St. Francis Levee or its' right of way for any reason anywhere in Pemiscot County. If you are caught on the levee you will be prosecuted. Curiosity or any other excuse is not acceptable. This is a time of crisis and we must not do anything to put our levee at a greater risk. Finally, we are strengthened and upheld by our faith. I believe that God will care for us, but I also believe that God has given us intelligence and resources to care for ourselves and others. Now is the time. We believe everything will be ok but we should be ready should an emergency occur. I know we will. Thank you and may God bless each of us. Jim Atchison,

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"Sometimes it's not enough to know what things mean, sometimes you have to know what things don't mean."