Clarksville threatened by Mississippi River

Water contaminated by sewage is surrounding buildings in the community of Clarksville, a small town on the Mississippi River north of St. Louis. Mayor Joanne Smiley says the city lagoon failed at mid-morning….

Clarksville expects a flood crest next Saturday that will be higher than the record crest in 19-93…

And Mayor Joanne Smiley says the city already is in trouble. She says water is surrounding all of the businesses in town and she’s hoping more volunteers can get to the town to build the sandbag floodwall higher. She says the river is expected to rise another foot today. Indications are the flood crest will be another three feet higher by next weekend. "We’re scrambling," she says.

Smiley says the city lagoon failed at mid-morning….meaning sewage is backing up into the streets.