Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Illinois Levee Break

GULFPORT, Ill. (AP) -- The rising Mississippi River broke through a levee Tuesday, forcing authorities to rescue about a half-dozen people by helicopter, boat and four-wheeler as floodwaters moved south into Illinois and Missouri.

But even as the water jeopardized scores of additional homes and businesses, officials said the damage could have been worse if the federal government had not taken steps to clear flood-prone land after historic floods in 1993.

On Tuesday, the flooding halted car travel over two bridges linking Illinois and Iowa and covered tiny Gulfport and the surrounding area with 10 feet of water.

"I'm not going back after this one," 83-year-old Lois Russell said as she watched water surround her house near Gulfport. It was the third time she had fled her home because of flooding since 1965.

"It was a good place to raise my seven kids," she said, crying. "I know I haven't lost anything that feels important because I have a big family."

The area was inundated after a levee broke near Gulfport. The details of the rescues were unclear because of discrepancies in the numbers of people involved and the circumstances described by state and local officials. But authorities agreed that boats, helicopters and an all-terrain vehicle were involved in the efforts.

A 21-foot railway outside Gulfport broke in four sections Tuesday night, sending flood waters into the evacuated town. Henderson County Sheriff Mark Lumbeck said Gulfport has about 10 feet of water.

More damage. More suffering. Floodwaters caused a levee to break.

Hmmm. Is this part of a conspiracy? Was the government behind the break?

Recall Louis Farrakhan's remarks about the levee in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina:

"I heard from a very reliable source who saw a 25 foot deep crater under the levee breach. It may have been blown up to destroy the black part of town and keep the white part dry."

Anyone aware of any conspiracy theories regarding the flooding in the Midwest?

Was this levee near Gulfport, Illinois blown up intentionally?

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