Memphis flooding: Thousands of homes evacuated

The southern US city of Memphis is coping with flood levels not seen since the 1930s, which have forced people from at least 1,300 homes. coach handbags outlet The Mississippi River was expected to crest at 48ft (14.6m) on Monday night in the Tennessee city. The authorities have evacuated low-lying neighbourhoods, but officials said they were confident flood control systems would prevent further harm. The flooding has been caused by melting snow and heavy rains. Army engineers say it is unlikely that the levee system in Memphis will give way, but have admitted that the water has been rising faster than expected Nike outlet The authorities have also warned residents to look out for snakes and rats which could seek shelter on higher ground. Officials downstream in Louisiana have begun evacuating prisoners from one of the state's toughest prisons - the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola - and opened floodgates to relieve pressure on levees outside New Orleans. 'Levees holding' The National Weather Service said the Mississippi River would crest later on Monday. The record river height of 48.7ft was set in February 1937 during one of the worst Mississippi floods in US history. Coach Backpack Handbags Officials said they were confident levees along the river would hold back the water and that the authorities had 20,000 sand bags in reserve in case of a breach. Col Vernie Reichling Jr of the Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the Mississippi River flood control system, told reporters: "There should be no concern for any levees to fail." In downtown Memphis, the river had swollen to three miles (4.8km) wide from its typical width of half a mile, the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper reported. Further inland, Graceland, the famous home of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley, was out of harm's way, as was Beale Street, a tourist attraction known for Blues music. replica coach outlet "I want to say this: Graceland is safe. And we would charge hell with a water pistol to keep it that way and I'd be willing to lead the charge," director of the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency Bob Nations Jr told the Associated Press. Engorged by the spring thaw, the Mississippi has caused significant flooding upstream in Illinois and Missouri. Further downstream in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, the river has already passed flood stage.

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Par haha3888 le mardi 10 mai 2011

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