More rescues in Illinois; rail travel affected

OAKVILLE, Iowa (AP) -- The rising Mississippi River is leading to evacuations in western Illinois and disrupting some Midwest rail travel. One Illinois levee broke, forcing the helicopter rescue of more

Tuesday, June 17th 2008, 5:57 pm

By: News 9


OAKVILLE, Iowa (AP) -- The rising Mississippi River is leading to evacuations in western Illinois and disrupting some Midwest rail travel.

One Illinois levee broke, forcing the helicopter rescue of more than a dozen sandbaggers who'd been trying to shore it up. Authorities say highway motorists and people in a nearby house also had to be rescued.

People have been urged to evacuate in Gulfport, Illinois. Sandbag operations are continuing, despite fears of more levee breaks in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.

The flooding has also disrupted Amtrak service between Burlington and St. Paul, Minnesota.

High waters have also struck an Illinois hog operation. A farmer spotted hogs swimming away, some trying to climb a levee, and one tired pig on the ground "like a pink sandbag."

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