PlusMissouri Town Loses Battle Against Miss. RiverMissouri Town Loses Battle Against Miss. RiverThe Associated PressA makeshift barrier holding back the Mississippi River failed early Saturday, swamping the low-lying part of the small community of Winfield and ending a valiant but ultimately doomed battle against the surging river. (June 28)AFTER THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BURST THROUGH WINFIELD'S PIN OAK LEVEE FRIDAY...NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS AND VOLUNTEERS WORKED FEVERISHLY TO BUILD A SECOND LEVEE AROUND A CLUSTER OF ABOUT 100 HOMES.RESIDENTS HOPED THE BARRIER WOULD KEEP THE WATER AT BAY LONG ENOUGH FOR THE RIVER TO RECEDE.BUT THE EFFORT FAILED. [Notes:SOT -- ANDY BINDER/COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER] it makes us sick to our stomach...you just want to cry....there's not a whole lot you can do...for that community....i went out and looked at it at 6:30....and the water had completely engulfed it. [Notes:VO --AERIALS OF WINFIELD]ALTHOUGH MANY HOMES IN WINFIELD SIT ON A HILL ABOVE THE RIVER AND ARE OUT OF HARMS WAY -- ABOUT SIXTY HOMES IN THE CLUSTER WERE FLOODED....AND OFFICIALS ARE STILL ASSESSING THE DAMAGE. [Notes:SOT -- ANDY PINDER/COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER] We worked as fast as we could...and the multiple areas we saw coming through....by 4:30 in the morning...it had consumed the majority of the barrier on the southeast corner...we sounded evacuation alarms....army personnel out...equipment to higher ground. [Notes:VO-- HEAD SHOT OF ELSIE HYDE]ELSIE HYDE HAS LIVED IN WINFIELD FOR TWENTY YEARS.....SHE EVACUATED HER HOME SEVERAL DAYS AGO.NOW WANTS TO MOVE TO A HOME ON HIGHER GROUND. [Notes:SOT --- ELSIE HYDE/EVACUEE] We're going to look for a place in the winfield or monroe area...but up in the hills where I can stay dry...it's too devastating to lose it again...its really hard. [Notes:VO --AERIALS]STILL -- RESIDENTS HERE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE HELP THEY'VE RECEIVED. [Notes:SOT --ELSIE HYDE/EVACUEE] There was two churches bringing in sandwiches and bottled water and just helping where ever they can....i had a guy offer me 25 bucks for gas if I needed it. [Notes:VO --AERIALS OF FLOODING] THE MISSISSIPPI'S CRESTS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH ST. LOUIS ON MONDAY -- AND CAPE GIRARDEAU ON WEDNEDAY --WHERE METEOROLOGISTS SAY IT COULD RISE TO TEN FEET ABOVE FLOOD STAGE. [Notes:VO--AERIALS OF FLOODING]THE NATIONAL WEATER SERVICE SAYS IF THAT HAPPENS -- SOME RESIDENTS WILL HAVE TO LEAVE -- and 100 THOUSAND ACRES OF FARMLAND WILL BE FLOODED. ___ ___, The Associated Press.