CAIRO, Ill. (AP) -- The mayor of the southern Illinois city of Cairo says he's asking its 2,800 residents to leave voluntarily to protect themselves from the rising Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
Mayor Judson Childs says he made the request after meeting with police, the Army Corps of Engineers and emergency-management agencies.
By Tuesday morning, the Ohio River was at more than 56 feet, with an expected crest of 61 feet on May 3. The latest level is 16 feet above flood stage, although the city's flood wall can hold back water levels up to 64 feet.
Childs says he's worried more rain in an already saturated area could make the situation worse.
He says the evacuation isn't mandatory, but he's urging residents to take the voluntary clear-out "very seriously."
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