River Crests, Officials Continue to Watch Levees

PlusRiver Crests, Officials Continue to Watch LeveesRiver Crests, Officials Continue to Watch LeveesThe Associated PressThe flood threat continues to ease along the Mississippi River in Missouri. But, there are still concerns about some remaining levees. One levee near Winfield, Mo., was almost felled by an unexpected foe. (June 23)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] ((TRACK))((SUPER: Winfield, Mo.)) ((VO of town, levee.)) THE LEVEE PROTECTING WINFIELD, MISSOURI IS HOLDING UP AGAINST THE POWERFUL MISSISSIPPI RIVER.BUT, IT ALMOST FELL TO A FAR LESS POWERFUL FOE EARLY MONDAY MORNING.((SOT))'The muskrats live in levees.'((TRACK)) ((File PICS of similar-looking muskrats.)) A MUSKRAT -- BIGGER THAN A RAT, SMALLER THAN A BEAVER.THESE ARE NOT PICTURES OF THE MUSKRAT THAT STRUCK NEAR WINFIELD, BUT THEIR LOVE OF LEVEES IS - APPARENTLY - UNIVERSAL.((SOT))((SUPER: Jeff Stamper/Army Corps of Engineers))'The muskrats burrow into the levee, they create a pipe through the levee. The water reaches that level and it runs through like crazy.'((TRACK))((SUPER: Foley, Mo.)) ((VO of homes surrounded by water.)) JUST ANTOHER WAY MOTHER NATURE IS WORKING AGAINST SMALL TOWNS ALL ALONG THIS RIVER.MOST HERE NOW KNOW WHETHER THEY'LL BE A VICTIM OF THE FLOOD OF '08.AND WITH THE RIVER CRESTING LOWER THAN DURING THE LAST RECORD FLOOD IN '93...((NATS))'It's coming up.'((TRACK)) ((VO of man looking at water, construction on home.)) ... MANY, LIKE KENNY LESLEY, ARE FINDING THEMSELVES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WATER LINE.LESLEY DIDN'T EVEN LET THE FLOOD STOP RENOVATIONS ON HIS FOLEY, MISSOURI HOME.((SOT))((SUPER: Kenny Lesley/Resident))'We're not supposed to get as high as in '93, so I don't think I'll have any problem. It won't get in my house.'((TRACK)) ((VO of woman, her dogs.)) CAROL BROSEMAN'S ONE OF THE FEW STAYING IN WINFIELD.SHE'S HAVING TROUBLE FINDING A PLACE GOOD FOR HER DOGS.((SOT))((NO SUPER))'I'm just trying to postpone stressing them out and moving them.'((TRACK)) ((VO of neighborhood, woman.)) SHE'S ALSO WORRIED ABOUT LOOTERS IN HER QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD, EVEN THOUGH SHE'S MOVED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING OUT.((SOT))((SUPER: Carol Broseman/Resident))'There isn't much left in there. There's the bathroom door. A bathtub and a toilet. Everything else is gone.'((TRACK)) ((VO of town, homes, river, sign.)) FOLKS HERE PROBABLY WON'T HAVE TO WORRY MUCH LONGER.THE RIVER IS EXPECTED TO RISE JUST A FEW MORE INCHES BEFORE CRESTING ON TUESDAY.AS FOR THE LEVEE, AUTHORITIES SAY IT SHOULD HOLD, IN SPITE OF THE MUSKRATS.JB, THE A-P, WINFIELD, MISSOURI.