Corps of Engineers to begin Phase II floodfight in Cairo, Missouri, and Reelfoot-Obion areas

Memphis District
Published March 27, 2020

The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will initiate a Phase II floodfight today in the Cairo, Reelfoot-Obion, and Missouri areas due to high river stages.

During this Phase II floodfight, 12 Memphis District employees will each day patrol and intensively monitor Federal flood control works such as levees, floodwalls, and relief wells. The District is also aiding local flood control organizations with their floodfighting efforts by providing technical advice and items like portable pumps, sandbags, and plastic sheeting.

Deployed floodfight personnel are supported by additional employees working at the USACE Emergency Operations Center at the District Headquarters office in Memphis.

Citizens are strongly encouraged to stay in touch with their local authorities and emergency management officials for updates on conditions in their areas. The Memphis District will deploy additional personnel and resources as required to help protect lives and property.

The USACE Division headquarters in Vicksburg, Miss, is coordinating all floodfight activities in the Mississippi Valley. The USACE Emergency Operations Center in Memphis is directing all floodfight activities in its boundary in partnership with the affected states, levee districts, and other local interest groups.

The Federal flood control works in the Mississippi Valley protect many thousands of homes, millions of lives and vast tracts of fertile cropland. The Memphis District’s flood control system has prevented more than $4.3 billion in flood damages and protected more than five million acres of cropland in the last decade alone.

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Contact
Jim Pogue
901-828-0152
james.t.pogue@usace.army.mil
or
Ken Williams
kenneth.williams@usace.army.mil

Release no. 20-030