The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

POPLAR BLUFF, MO. -- Update: April 27 at 10:05 p.m.:

Police say water levels in flooded parts of a southeastern Missouri town have dropped slightly even though river water is still pouring over spots along a levee protecting the town.

Poplar Bluff police Capt. Mike McClain said Wednesday that the levee held up overnight and that there have been no reports of injuries from the flooding.

About 1,000 homes were evacuated Monday when water from the Black River poured over the levee and flooded low-lying neighborhoods.

The levee breached in one spot downriver of Poplar Bluff on Tuesday. Police say a levee breach in town could damage or destroy up to 500 homes.

Two powerful storm systems have caused flooding across a wide swath of the Midwest and South. Rain is forecast for much of the area Wednesday.

Original Story:

A Mizzou meteorologist said Poplar Bluff’s broken levee could be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to flooding this spring in our state.

Dr. Tony Lupo said recent heavy rains all across Missouri have put a lot of pressure on our rivers and streams.

Spring flooding could delay the planting of crops such as corn and soybeans here in the Mid-Missouri area.

Lupo said there’s a good chance of significant flooding in the KRCG viewing area within the next week.

Lupo said, “We cannot rule out more flooding.  The next few days will bring a chance of some heavy rains, especially if we get thunderstorms.  There is the chance of flooding here, too.”

Poplar Bluff flood waters have displaced more than 1,000 people.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)