Evening star., 1947-07-02
Slight Rise Expected
After Flood Reaches
4O.2Feet at ST. Louis
Ry the Associated Press

ST. LOUIS, July 2.-The Mis-
sissippi River continued its de-
structive sweep past the st. Louis
area today after breaking four
nearby levees and routing thou
sands of persons from their
homes when additional dikes
were threatened.
The river surged to a 103-year
high of 40.2 feet following Monday
nights torrential rains, then re-
manned stationary for several hours,
but Harry F.. Wahlgren, meteorolo-
gist, said the stream would prob
ably climb another tenth of foot
before falling. The all-time record
here is Alb set in 1874.
Army engineers estimated damage
between Louisiana, Mo-, and Cairo
Ill, at nearly $4,000. .000-most OF
which was caused to farmland and
buildings. Farm agents pointed out
that most of the agricultural loss
would result from inability to raise
a crop in the growing period re-
naming.
26,800 Made Homeless.
About 26,800 persons were report
ed homeless by the Red Cross in
the four State area Of Missouri, IL
linois, Iowa and Nebraska, but many
of those in the two Northern States
NAV be aple to return to their dwell
ings if rivers continue to fall,
Red Cross spokesman said. About
8,400 were estimated homeless be-
tween Alton and Chester, Ill.
A new flood threat was reported at
Grafton. ILL.,, just north of Alton
where the Illinois River flows into
the Mississippi, the smaller river
overfowing from heavy rains in the
area, neared the towns business dis
trict.
A hundred miles south of ST. Louis
at Grand Tower, ILL.,, Mayor Jesse
Grammer said that an all-time high
of 40 feet was expected, which would
top the 1874 record there by 2 to 4
of a foot.
Town Is Engulfed.
'We will be shut off from all
roads soon," he said.
Just above Grand Tower, the town
of Gorham was engulfed by flood
water following two levee breaks
there, but the approximately SOC
residents already had fled to nearby
hills.
Army engineers said the situation
at Dupo, ILL.,. southeast of here, was
not as serious as had been expected
when the Prairie Du Pont levee
broke yesterday. Some residents who
had evacuated the town returned
and aided in the construction of an
earth wall over the terminal railroad
tracks there.
The heavily industrialized section
of Venice, Granite City and East St
Louis appeared to be safe from the
high water despite two levee breaks
just north of the region.
Arranges for Warning.
Mayor Charles w. Moerlein OF
Granite City said he had arranged
to have factory whistles blown il
the East Side levee broke but that
the barrier was in good condition.
About 100 residents of Claryville
Mo, just below Chester, moved out
after the condition of the towns
protecting wall was called critical
Frank Valleroy, blacksmith, who has
been flooded out four times, SAID
there would be no occurrences of the
past as long as he could help it
He moved his family. and furniture
to Chester. tu1
At Quincy, ILL.,, 13-year- old boy
yesterday pedaled his bicycle
through flood waters topping a
levee in the Indian Grave drainage
district, to warn neighbors ano
summon aid when a dixie crumbled
Mrs. Claus Kroenecke, whose
home was just inside a levee which
gave way to the Mississippi said hel
son, Eugene, pedaled his way
through the swirling water to get
help for her and his five brother!
and sisters. Mrs. Kroenecke ane
the children spent several hours
marooned in the upper story o1
their home before the help sum.
moned by the boy arrived.