Mississippi River cut off to protect ships, structures

HOUSTON, Texas - The key waterway for US grain exports was cut off on Monday when the US Coast Guard closed the Mississippi River near Natchez, Mississippi.

The Coast Guard said part of the Mississippi was closed to all traffic to protect ships and flood control structures because flooding has raised the river to record levels.

Two vessels were waiting to move northbound on the river by the closure and one ship was waiting to move southbound, the Coast Guard said.