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Army Corps of Engineers Mobilized in Cairo, Ready

By: Christen Craig

ALEXANDER COUNTY-- The Army Corps of Engineers has mobilized in Cairo due to the rising Ohio River.

Melting snow combined with heavy rain is putting Cairo in danger of flooding.

The Army Corps of Engineers has declared a phase two operation-- several engineers are constantly inspecting and patrolling the levee.

"The whole city of Cairo is protected by levees and flood walls, so if there's an issue... we could have flooding of the whole area," says Tom Morgan with the Corps.

Morgan says so far, flood gates have kept the water out of Cairo, but there are other problems.

A side effect of the rising water is collapsing streets. It's something engineers say is prone to happen in Cairo when pump stations are in use.

"It pumps into to the pipeline and carries it away. So you lose the support of the street and the street will just sink and cave in," says Morgan.

Morgan says the streets can't be fixed until after the water recedes; which could be some time from now.

According to the National Weather Service the Ohio is expected to crest Saturday morning, 14 feet above flood stage. That would tie the tenth highest historical crest on record for Cairo. The highest the river has ever been in Cairo was in 1937, when the Ohio crested at 59.5 feet.

"We have mobilized 7 people total. I got 4 people in the town of Cairo as we speak," says Morgan.

While Morgan believes the Ohio will stay within its banks for the most part, Cairo has to keep an eye on the mighty Mississippi. The town is at the confluence of both rivers.