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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A SMALL ARMY OF STUDENTS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS RUSHES SANDBAGGING OPERATIONS TODAY AS UNWELCOME RAINS SENT FLOODWATERS, POURING INTO MORE RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS AREAS IN THE HIGHEST.

HUNDREDS WERE HOMELESS IN IOWA AND MINNESOTA, THE HARDEST HIT AREAS, AND DAMAGE WAS EXPECTED TO SOAR INTO THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

MORE THAN 1,500 FLOOR FIGHTERS, HALF OF THEM FROM HIGH SCHOOLS, PILED SANDBAGS AGAINST THE LEVELS IN THE WATERLOO, IOWA AREAS WHERE THE SWOLLEN CEBAR RIVER AIMED ANOTHER FLOOD PUNCH.

THE CREST NEAREST ITS 1961 RECORD OF 21.86 FEET AT WATERLOO WHERE FLOOD STAGE IS 15 FEET.

ANOTHER 200 COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HELPED PUSH SANDBAGGING OPERATIONS AT MANKATO, MINN., WHERE MAYOR REX HILL DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY. NATIONAL GUARDMEN ALSO WERE ORDERED INTO THE FLOOD BATTLE.

THE MINNESOTA RIVER BULGED WITH NEW FLOODWATERS IN THE MANKATO AREA AFTER AN INCE JAM-BROKE OF IN THE TRIBUTARY BLUE EARTH RIVER. THE RIVES REACHED A 26 FOOT LEVEL AT MANKATO, BUT THE 25-FOOT DIKE PROTECTING THE CITY HAS BEEN RAISED THREE TO FOUR FEET BY A ROUND-THE-CLOCK SANDBAGGING OPERATIONS THAT STARTED TUESDAY.

MORE THAN 100 FAMILIES FLED THEIR HOMES IN THE SUBURBAN LEHILLIER AND SIBLEY PARK SECTION OF MANKATO AS VOLUNTEERS WORKER TO REPAIR LEAKING DIKES.