Heavy rains cause some Midwestern rivers to rise

[May 18, 2010]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Heavy rains have caused several Midwestern rivers to rise, with more storms in the forecast.

Caption: Traffic directional signs are surrounded by Mississippi River floodwaters that closed roads on Monday near the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.  Heavy, frequent rains over much of the Midwest over the past week have swelled many inland rivers, causing moderate flooding and at times flash flooding that has been blamed in some deaths. (AP photo by Jim Suhr)

Many rivers are at or near their crest after the latest round of spring storms over the weekend. But flood-watchers aren't ready to relax just yet.

Heavy rain caused the Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Meramec, Grand, Fabius and other rivers to rise. Missouri was hardest hit, but other states in the nation's midsection were seeing mostly minor flooding.

The rains also caused flash floods that have been blamed in two deaths in Missouri, both in the northeast corner of the state.

The National Weather Service says rain is expected in parts of the Midwest on and off for the rest of the week.

[Associated Press; By JIM SALTER]

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