Homes evacuated in Mo. as levee nears breaking

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – Missouri officials say several hundred residents have been evacuated from their homes in Poplar Bluff as a levee along the Black River is in danger of breaking.

They say a shelter has been set up at the Black River Coliseum and residents are arriving at the concert and meeting venue, carrying their belongings in plastic sacks.

Southern Missouri has been hit hard by heavy rain over the past several days, and rivers and lakes throughout the region have been rising.

Branson spokesman Jerry Adams says 15 people who live on the edge of Lake Taneycomo have been evacuated, as have people staying in the popular tourist town's camper park.

National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Fuchs says a few homes also have been evacuated in the northeast Missouri town of LaGrange.