Mississippi River Reaches Record Levels: Photos, Videos and Tweets

As heavy rains pounded the Mississippi River basin and drive water levels above their record heights, the mayor of Memphis warned city residents to prepare for a possible "large-scale disaster." Thousands have evacuated the city, leaving their homes behind to live in tents and campers at higher grounds. Things haven't been worse since the Mississippi flood in 1927, the most destructive in U.S. history, after which engineers built a system of levees and reservoirs that protect some four million people today. But that system is certainly being tested. The river is expected to crest Wednesday at 48 feet.

As heavy rains pound the Mississippi River basin and drive water levels above their record heights, the mayor of Memphis warned city residents to prepare for a possible " large-scale disaster." The river may crest to record heights on Monday evening, half a day sooner than expected—but the mayor says the city is prepared. The water level is expected to reach 48 feet, just below the 48.7-foot record set in 1937. It’s already swamped houses in Memphis, and residents of more than 1,300 homes have been told to evacuate. As residents take shelter, The Daily Beast takes a look at photos and tweets being shared over Twitter from the region.

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Brian Ries

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