Final Decision on Setting of Floodgates by 10 a.m. Saturday

A change in the predicted river crest at Hannibal has put on hold a final decision on when or if its flood gates will be set.

The National Weather Service has revised its crest prediction downward, saying at midday Friday that the river will top out at 20.4 feet Monday morning.

According to Hannibal Emergency Services Director John Hark, that means that a final decision on the setting of flood gates will be made by 10 a.m. Saturday.

Standard procedure is for the Hill and Center Street gates to be set when the predicted crest hits 20.5, with the Broadway and Main Street gates going on in when the projected crest reaches 21.5 feet.