Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Diane Sawyer) A report on and from the waters of the Mississippi River introduced; scenes shown of flooding in Memphis, from the river, the rising water, from on a rescue tank/boat vehicle, the command post monitoring the river, a threatened school. [Shelby County preparedness director Bon NATIONS††, county spokesperson Steve SHULAR†, STUDENTS, EVACUEE - comment on the river.]

(Memphis and Mud Island: Steve Osunsami) The story of four generations of one family threatened by the flooding river presented; scenes shown from North Haven, Tennessee, and of families living in campers. [Flood victims Charles, Star HINKSON†, Heather HINKSON-DAVIS†, Brenda WEBB, Angie HINKSON†, Tina EMBRY†- comment on their situations.]

(Studio: Diane Sawyer) Earlier discussion held with Army Corps of Engineers Col. Vernie Riechling†† about the levees and the river; virtual view of the river flow shown. [RIESLING - describes what is happening.]

(Memphis: Jim Avila) This historic test for the levee system protecting Memphis featured; scenes shown of the flood wall system; details given about the four threats to the levee and how a breach would be catastrophic. [Army Corps of Engineers Cory WILLIAMS†- indicates a threat to the levee.] Map of the Mississippi cresting shown. ["Rising Tide" author John BARRY†- says the elements of '27 are protecting us today.]

(Studio: Diane Sawyer) Report introduced.

(Memphis: Sam Champion) The sequence of events leading to this flooding reviewed and the weather forecast discussed; map of the many states draining into the Mississippi shown.