Paragould soliphone. (Paragould, Ark.) 1918-1950, 1922-03-29
MISSISSIPPI
LEVEE SYSTEM
IS HOLDING
With River Rising Steadily,
No Serious Danger Has
Appeared - Ready For
Emergency.

j
Mississippi river stage exceeding
43 feet at Memphis and 81 feet at
Helena. Ark, predicted before the
end of the week, government ana
levee engineers last night expressed
belief that the levecs south of Cairo,
H.. will stand the strain. NO serious
break is looked for, with the water
now in sight between Cairo land
Memphis.
Every possible preparation has
been made by both federal and state
authorities. Guards are patroiling
practically every foot of levee be-
tween Cairo and Helena on both
sides of the river; engineers nave
been assigned their stations at points
where there is a possibility that
trouble may develop; thousands OF
sand bags have been distributed TO
strategic points, where they can be
rushed wherever a dangerous sltua-
ton may develop within few hours
and forces of workmen are ready 10
be assigned wherever needed.
More Water in Sight
The river at Memphis last night
shows approximately 41.6 on the
gauge, and is expected to top the
42-foot mark before this morning.
At Cairo the river still is stationary,
but with indications that the heavy
rains in the central valley may
cause a Slight rise there before to-
might, which may continue for
several days. 4 further rise in the
Ohio also is expected, due to rains,
and considerable water is reported
coming out of the Cumberland and
Tennessee rivers. A considerable
rise at st. Louis also was reported
Sunday night and yesterday.
The revised prediction for a stage
exceeding 43 feet at Memphis was
issued yesterday noon, after reports
of heavy rains IN the central Mis-
sissipp. Ohio and Missouri river
valleys had been seceived.
Weather Bureau officials express
doubt whether the water from these
rains will reach the Mississippi in
time to catch the crest of the
present flood, but say there is no
doubt that the high water period
will be materially prolonged by
rains now falling. The crest of the
present flood was expected to reach
New Madrid, Mo-, late last night or
early this morning, when forecasters
expected to be able to make an ac-
curate estimate of the stage which
can be looked for in the lower river.
No Serious Trouble
Reports from all parts of the le
say that all are holding and that
there are no indications of serious
trouble anywhere. Seepage and sand
bolls are of frequent occurrence all
along the line. but with the ade-
quate patrol system in force these
minor troubles soon are located and
repairs made before the trouble
spreads
Harry N. Pharr, chief of the st
Francis Levee Board, in charge of
10 miles of embankment extend
ing from the Missouri state line to
the mouth of the st. Francis river,
last night issued a bulletin declar-
ing that reports from every point
of the district showed that the levee
was in splendid condition and able
| to withstand state of 43.5 at
Memphis without injury at any
| point. The bulletin predicts that the
stage of water will reach that of
1916. but adds that with the ex-
| ception of short distance at the
extreme southern end, all levees in
The district have been raised to
Withstand stage of AS feet at
Memphis.