June 30, 2008

ST. LOUIS, Mo.---Crests on the Mississippi from the recent flooding are expected today in St. Louis and later in the week in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Upstream, the waters are dropping in Winfield, Missouri, where a valiant effort involving two levees ultimately failed. Missouri's governor says seven counties are eligible for federal disaster help.

River towns all along the Mississippi will now have to decide what to do -- relocate or rebuild? Mayor Jim Stewart of Keithsburg, Illinois, is already talking about moving most of his town's 700 residents to higher ground. About 100 homes in Keithsburg were bought by the federal government after major flooding in 1993.

Stewart isn't worried about a mass exodus from his town. He figures the roots are too deep for many people there.

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)