The Mississippi River crested in Memphis at 2 a.m. local time, with the National Weather Service measuring the river at 47.85 feet - almost a record high, according to the Associated Press. Experts expect the mighty Mississippi to stay at that level for the next day or so.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the Mississippi River region's $13 billion flood control system, made up of a 2,200 mile-long system of levees and four main floodways, according to NBC News. The Corps opened one of those floodways, the Bonnet Carre Spillway, yesterday to keep New Orleans from flooding.
Army Corps of Engineers Col. Vernie Reichling told CBS News the flood control system built to protect the city of Memphis is doing its job:
The Corps of Engineers' deputy commander of the Mississippi Valley Division, Colonel George "Thatch" Shepard, spoke with Bloomberg News about the Corps plan of attack in the coming days. Click here for the link.
