Midwest flooding: My 2008 Cairo, Illinois posts

Cairo, Illinois levee, May, 2008.

Hard-luck Cairo (pronounced KAY-roh), Illinois is at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Although protected by levees, there is fear they could break--the Ohio River side is said to pose the greater danger.

I visited Cairo three years ago, below you will find those posts, along with a YouTube video that was filmed there.

Pictured on the right is a levee gate located just north of Cairo.

UPDATE April 29: In an attempt to protect Cairo, a federal judge ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers can breech a Mississippi River levee that will flood Missouri farm land and 90 homes. Meanwhile, the Republican speaker of the Missouri House is apologizing for comments he made about Cairo. When asked by a reporter if he preferred farmland to be flooded over the Illinois town, he replied, "Cairo. I've been there, trust me, Cairo," He continued, "Have you been to Cairo? Ok, you know what I'm saying then."

Cairo's mayor, while not calling for a mandatory evacuation of the town, is urging residents to evacuate.

My 2008 Cairo entries:

• My Mississippi Manifest Destiny: Cairo, Illinois--Slum Town
• My Mississippi Manifest Destiny: Cairo's better side
• My Mississippi Manifest Destiny: Confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers

Related post:

Josh Thompson video of "Way Out Here," filmed in Cairo, Illinois