By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Two St. Francis County Rivers could crest later this week according to projections from the National Weather Service in Memphis.
According to Marlene Mickelson with the NWS, the L'Anguille and St. Francis Rivers are both close to flood level with the L'Anguille expected to crest tomorrow afternoon.
"Our projections are showing that the L'Anguille at Palestine will crest on the 19th at 27.5 feet. The flood level for the L'Anguille is 25 feet. That should happen somewhere between noon and 6 p.m., but we're expecting it closer to 6 p.m.," said Mickelson.
According to St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco, the biggest problem the flooding could cause will center around roads that are flooded.
"Most of the people that live out that way will probably have alternate routes that they can travel. Our biggest problem will be in the area near Hwy. 261 between Caldwell and Pine Tree. We're expecting that highway to be covered and some of the county roads will be covered but people should be able to get in and out," Cisco said.
Earlier projections from the NWS also showed that the St. Francis might flood early this week, but those projections have been pushed back to midnight Saturday and according to Mickelson, NWS officials don't expect the flooding to occur at all. The St. Francis was projected to crest at 33.5 feet, which is 1.5 feet above flood level.
"We were projecting the St. Francis to crest at 33.5 feet near Madison on Thursday but we've pushed that back to Saturday. That might give the river enough time to back down before then, so we're really not projecting any substantial flooding," Mickelson said.
There is no more rain in the forecast until Saturday, but according to Mickelson, heavy rains aren't expected.
With Christmas fast approaching, so also approaches the Christmas break for area students.
Children in the Forrest City School District will get out of school Friday, Dec. 21, for their break and not return until Thursday, Jan. 3, 2002. Palestine-Wheatley students will be dismissed at 1 p.m. Wednesday and will join students in the Forrest City District returning on Jan. 3. The Hughes School District will be closing on Thursday, Dec. 19, with students out until Jan 7.
Students at East Arkansas Community College and Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute will return to classes on Wednesday, Jan. 2. Crowley's Ridge began their Christmas break on Dec. 14, and the first semester at EACC ends Friday.
The St. Francis County Food Pantry will be closed from Thursday afternoon, Dec. 20, until Dec. 27.
"Our volunteers have to have some time at home with their own families," said Catherine Freeman of the Pantry.