GRAFTON, Ill. (KMOX) - Many Metro East communities are racing to clean up as water from the second-highest flood in recorded history is finally receding. They're trying to beat the crowds and tourists who are expected to visit for the holiday weekend.
Grafton, Ill. Mayor Rick Eberlin estimates business has been down 80 to 100 percent and a handful of businesses believe they won't be able to recover from the lost profits.
Saturday's night's big fireworks display at 9 p.m. will also be the unofficial opening of tourist season, after missing out on months of potential business. Unfortunately, the floodwaters will keep many viewing areas closed, such as the levee that many people usually sit on top of. It is too stressed due high water.
Downstream in Alton, the Great River Road is still closed, but the visitor's center has reopened after being cut off by the flood wall since May 29th.
Raging Rivers WaterPark opens on Wednesday, more than a month after its originally scheduled opening.