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Mississippi overflows levees, crops threatened
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-19 14:42

FORT MADISON, Iowa - The swollen Mississippi River ran over the top of at least 12 more levees on Wednesday, as floodwaters swallowed up more US farmland, adding to billion-dollar losses and feeding global food inflation fears.


 Residents move their possessions from their home in Hannibal, Missouri June 18, 2008. [Agencies]

Volunteers and aid workers were piling sandbags up and down the most important U.S. inland waterway to try to protect more levees and thousands of acres of prime crop land threatened as the river's crest moves south after last week's torrential rains.

About 10 levees were breached earlier this week, bringing the total to 22 on Wednesday. The levee breaches lowered the river level by letting water spill onto the surrounding land.

"Their misfortune had been our fortune. I'd rather it hadn't come at the expense of others. But it is what it is," said Steve Cirinna of Iowa's Lee County Emergency Management Agency.

Across the river at Dallas City, Illinois, about 50 sandbaggers made up of volunteers and National Guard troops were busy working ahead of the expected river crest overnight.

A man drives a boat down main street in flood waters from the Mississippi River in La Grange, Missouri June 18, 2008. The swollen Mississippi River ran over the top of at least nine more levees  on Wednesday as floodwaters swallowed up more U.S. farmland, feeding inflation fears as corn prices soared to record highs. [Agencies]

"We've had a little relief because the levee breaches lowered the river level a little. But it's coming up again. We're not done yet. This evening will be critical," said Kathy Dougherty of the Hancock County Emergency Services Agency.

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