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               US Midwest Hit By 'Historic and Dangerous' Floods

   by William Gallo

   Rare winter floods have killed at least 13 people and devastated
   hundreds of homes in the midwestern U.S. state of Missouri, which has
   been hit by a record amount of torrential rain in recent days.

   Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency and
   called out the National Guard to help assist with what he called the
   "very historic and dangerous" floods.

   Rising waters have forced the closure of portions of two interstate
   highways and sections of roads in nearly 500 other locations across the
   state. Nixon on Tuesday urged motorists to avoid inundated roads.

   "The vast majority of deaths we've had - and I can't stress this enough
   - is [from] people driving into water and especially driving into water
   at night," he said at a press conference.

   Missouri was hit by several days of heavy rains from a storm system
   that also brought deadly tornadoes to other parts of the Midwest and
   South. The rains have since moved on, but officials warn flood waters
   will continue to rise.

   Forecasters expect the Mississippi River to crest Friday at 15.1 meters
   (49.7 feet), which would match levels from the "Great Flood" of 1993.
   The Missouri River is expected to crest at 14.5 meters on Saturday,
   smashing a previous record.

   ''

   At least 19 federal levees in the St. Louis area are at risk of being
   overtaken by the floods, which have also caused untreated sewage to
   flow into waterways in some areas.

   National Guard soldiers will help assist first responders in providing
   security for evacuated areas and help direct traffic away from road
   closures, according to Nixon.

   The U.S. Coast Guard closed a portion of the river near St. Louis to
   protect the city and placed a round-the-clock watch over the levees.
   Residents were asked to help fill sandbags and place them along the
   river banks.

   With part of the river shut down to all vessels, the transportation of
   agricultural products and other goods had to be halted.

   More than 40 people were killed as the rare winter storm system swept
   across the U.S. during the Christmas holiday season. The storms have
   also caused the delay or cancelation of thousands of flights, stranding
   travelers during one of the busiest travel times of the year.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-midwest-hit-by-historic-and-danger
   ous-floods/3124122.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-midwest-hit-by-historic-and-dangerous-floods/3124122.html