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Some rivers receding, but Mississippi River remains high

Two rental houses look underwater next to the Meramec River on Opps Lane in Fenton, Mo., Wednesday, May 3, 2017. Heavy rains have swollen many rivers to record levels in parts of Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Five deaths have been blamed on flooding in Missouri, while hundreds of people have been displaced and thousands more are potentially in harm's way. (J.B. Forbes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP) Two rental houses look underwater next to the Meramec River on Opps Lane in Fenton, Mo., Wednesday, May 3, 2017. Heavy rains have swollen many rivers to record levels in parts of Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Five deaths have been blamed on flooding in Missouri, while hundreds of people have been displaced and thousands more are potentially in harm's way. (J.B. Forbes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

By Associated Press May 5, 2017 1 min read

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Floodwaters are receding in many hard-hit Midwestern communities, but the worst is yet to come on the Mississippi River.

Heavy rain last weekend prompted a sudden rise in rivers in the central U.S. Nine deaths have been blamed on floods and flash floods.

River levels are dropping along the Black River in Missouri and Arkansas, and the Meramec River in suburban St. Louis. Residents of the levee-protected part of Valley Park, Missouri, are to return home Friday.

But problems persist on the Mississippi River. A 14.5-mile stretch remains closed at St. Louis. A bridge is closed at Chester, Illinois. And sandbagging volunteers are trying to protect homes in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

The Mississippi is expected to crest over the next couple of days at St. Louis and to the south.