By Jacob McCleland
Cairo, IL – A federal judge has ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers can destroy a levee in Southeast Missouri. State Attorney General Chris Koster filed a lawsuit against the Corps earlier this week to block the levee detonation. But Federal Judge Steven Limbaugh decided in favor of the Corps' authority. The levee was designed as an "emergency button" that can be used in times of extremely high river levels. Flood levels are reaching 60 feet at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio at Cairo, Illinois. Judson Childs is Cairo's mayor.
"There have been lives at stake, and I can say I think the citizens of Cairo will be very proud that he made that decision. It was just the right thing to do."
Childs has twice issued voluntary evacuations this week. The breach will flood 130,000 acres of farmland. An estimated 200 people live in the affected area. The Missouri Attorney General's office has hinted that it may seek an appeal.