Coast Guard caution exposed river sand bars unsafe - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Coast Guard caution exposed river sand bars unsafe

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Steve Pobst - email

  • Heartland News

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:15 AM EDT2013-05-22 05:15:54 GMT
    Cooks’ BBQ and Catering in Jackson went up in flames Tuesday night.Jackson Fire Chief Jason Mouser tells Heartland News the building is a total loss, but they were able to stop the fire from spreading to the shed just a mere feet away.He said the fire appears to have started in the stove area of the restaurant.Copyright 2013KFVS. All rights reserved.
    Cooks’ BBQ and Catering in Jackson went up in flames Tuesday night.Jackson Fire Chief Jason Mouser tells Heartland News the building is a total loss, but they were able to stop the fire from spreading to the shed just a mere feet away.He said the fire appears to have started in the stove area of the restaurant.Copyright 2013KFVS. All rights reserved.

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:51:55 GMT
    Mark Hasheider, the Emergency Management Coordinator with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department said disasters like Oklahoma make them double check they’re on track with their plan."We were watching the live video, you know our firefighters are talking about the what ifs, what we could do, where our problems are at," said Hasheider.You’ve probably driven by it before, Cape Girardeau Fire Station Number 3. But did you know if there was a disaster in Cape, it would be the emergency headquarters?"A...
    Mark Hasheider, the Emergency Management Coordinator with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department said disasters like Oklahoma make them double check they’re on track with their plan."We were watching the live video, you know our firefighters are talking about the what ifs, what we could do, where our problems are at," said Hasheider.You’ve probably driven by it before, Cape Girardeau Fire Station Number 3. But did you know if there was a disaster in Cape, it would be the emergency headquarters?"A...

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:47 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:47:58 GMT
    Firefighters are on the scene of a fire in Jackson, Mo. Tuesday night.A fire broke out at 1931 West Jackson Boulevard. At this point authorities say it's not clear what type of building is on fire or if anyone has been hurt.Stay with Heartland News online and on-air while we bring you more information on this developing story.Copyright 2013 KFVS. All rights reserved.
    Firefighters are on the scene of a fire in Jackson, Mo. Tuesday night.A fire broke out at 1931 West Jackson Boulevard. At this point authorities say it's not clear what type of building is on fire or if anyone has been hurt.Stay with Heartland News online and on-air while we bring you more information on this developing story.Copyright 2013 KFVS. All rights reserved.
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MEMPHIS, TN (KFVS) -

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard advises residents to exercise caution regarding sand bars exposed by the extremely low water levels on the Mississippi River.

Although the sand bars may look like a beach, they can be very unstable and may collapse under the weight of a person.

"Although the river level is low, the speed and strength of the current remains high," Dave Berreta, the Corps' Chief of Hydraulics and Hydrology said.  "It is still a very dangerous river."

Coast Guard officials agree and offer this advice.  "The best stance for safety on the rivers is prevention.  Avoiding dangerous situations like traveling across unstable sandbars are the best way to increase one's safety near the river," Lt. Ryan Gomez, U.S. Coast Guard said.  "Also, the use of proper fitting U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket is always a great idea when conducting any kind of activity near the water."

During the extreme low water in 1988 three children and an adult who tried to save them drowned after they were swept into the Mississippi River when a drought-weakened sandbar they were standing on collapsed near Ripley, Tennessee.

Three people also drowned under similar circumstances near Natchez, Mississippi in 1988.    

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.