Low water levels create dangerous sandbars - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Low water levels create dangerous sandbars

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The fire and sheriff's department's were training on water recovery tactics. The fire and sheriff's department's were training on water recovery tactics.
People are exploring parts of the river that we typically never see. People are exploring parts of the river that we typically never see.
Authorities warn the sandbars may look like a beach, but can be very unstable. Authorities warn the sandbars may look like a beach, but can be very unstable.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) -

More warnings tonight if you plan to head out to the river.

Extremely low levels are creating dangerous situations.

With the nice weather, people are taking advantage of the sandbars now exposed on the Mississippi River.

People are exploring parts of the river that we typically never see.

Authorities warn the sandbars may look like a beach, but can be very unstable and could collapse into the river under the weight of a person.

Saturday, the Cape Girardeau Fire Department and Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department were out training on the river.

They were training on water recovery tactics.

Rescue crews are well aware of sandbar dangers and hope people adhere to the warnings.

"Right now I couldn't tell you exactly what it's rolling at, but at times it's rolling 15-20 knots," said Lt. Chris Hull.

"It's as low as I've ever seen it," said Ray Warner, Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

According to the Army Corps of Engineers, back in 1988 three children and an adult drowned in the Mississippi River when the drought-weakened sandbar they were standing on collapsed nearly Ripley, Tennessee.

And you'll remember earlier this month an 11 year old girl got stuck in the mud near the river observation deck in New Madrid.

She starting to sink, but was rescued.

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