MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Mississippi River crept higher on Monday to 37 feet.
The river is still predicted to crest at 40.5 feet Friday, but that’s still much lower than the 48 feet in the flood of 2011.
Monday morning, city crews put up aqua barriers along Second Street, between Mud Island Drive and the Stiles Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The barriers are large liners filled with water to create a short wall on either side of the road to protect it from the rising Wolf River.
For the time being, only Stiles and American Yeast employees will be allowed to drive through that section of the street.
“We have a low spot in the road. If the river gets to a certain level it could cross. I doubt it will, but we are being extra precautionary with it,” said Stiles plant manager Al Childers.
The city also blocked off the boat ramp at Greenbelt Park on Mud Island because a portion of the parking lot is now in the Mississippi River.
Those who live on Mud Island were surprised to see how high the water had gotten in a couple of days, but relieved to know it won’t get much higher.
“I usually come out here with my brothers and they had the benches down there. You can’t even go down there, ” said Terrika Reliford.
The water is also rising fast in the Wolf River Harbor.
Some homes there were flooded in 2011.
Saturday, homeowners at risk were told to be prepared to leave, but it now appears those homes will be safe.
The Shelby County Office of Prepares and county agencies will be monitoring areas that might be damaged by high water around the clock.