By Chris Taylor
Brookport, IL – Heavy rains to the north over the past several days are affecting levels along the lower Ohio River this week. National Weather Service officials say the waters are expected to go just above flood stage in some places, but the swelling is "nothing out of the ordinary." River levels at Brookport Dam are just below 38 feet, above the minor flood stage. The Ohio River there is expected to crest in a few more inches by Thursday. At Cairo, levels are expected to breach the Moderate flood stage, cresting Thursday at 47-and-a-half feet. Currently levels are just over a foot below that mark.