CAIRO, IL – With the serious threat of severe flooding looming and rain continuing to fall, state Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) is working with other local lawmakers state Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion), state Rep. Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro), state Sen. Gary Forby (D-Benton) and state Sen. David Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) to encourage local residents to volunteer as the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers continue to rise.
“We are desperately looking for anybody who wants to help volunteer in Golconda, Shawneetown, Old Shawneetown, Harrisburg, Carmi, Brookport, Metropolis, Cairo, Karnak, Olive Branch, Thebes, Tamms, New Haven, Junction and Grand Tower,” Phelps said. “We will be down in Cairo today with the Governor, while the Army Corps of Engineers survey the situation. We need volunteers in these towns to continue sand bagging because the rivers are still rising.”
The Army Corps of Engineers is continuing work on the Birds Point levee in preparation of a possible blast to alleviate the strain the Ohio River is currently putting on the floodwall, a move that would spare the city of Cairo from being leveled. The Cairo floodwall can handle up to 64 feet of water; currently the water has risen to 61.05 feet as of this morning eclipsing the 1937 record of 59.5 feet. Sources expect the river to crest on Wednesday at 61.5 feet and stay at that level until Friday.
“We need help,” Bradley said. “There is no way to describe the amount of water we are already dealing with. This is a catastrophe and any and all help is needed.”
The state has already provided hundreds of thousands of sandbags to local communities and has ordered one million additional sandbags. Inmates at the Tamms, DuQuoin and Dixon Springs correctional facilities have filled more than 80,000 sandbags, while inmate crews have been assisting with sandbagging in several communities. Other resources coordinated by the state include portable toilets, bottled water, life vests for emergency workers, generators, trucks for transporting assets, pumps, hoses and light stands.
“We have neighbors who are hurting and need help,” Bost said. “We encourage everyone who is willing and able to volunteer tying, loading or stacking sandbags, or helping carry families’ possessions to dry land. Whether you can lend a hand to a neighbor across the street or across the county line – Southern Illinois needs to pull together.”
“I was pleased that the Mayor of Cairo [Judson Childs] took steps over the weekend to evacuate residents and protect their safety,” Forby said. “As water levels rise, cities near the river are facing some of the flood’s most devastating effects and they need the people of Southern Illinois to come together now, more than ever. I am encouraging all residents in the area to volunteer any way they can.”
“In times of crisis like this one, we often find that our fellow citizens rise up to help their neighbors,” Luechtefeld said. “I would encourage interested volunteers to contact their local ESDA officials and they will help coordinate your efforts.”
For more information, please contact Rep. Phelps’ constituent service office at (618) 253-4189 or reach out to the American Red Cross Little Egypt Network at (800) 272-2984.
If you can help, please do so. Thanks.
