Forecaster Joe Lowery of the National Weather Service office in Memphis said it looked as though the river is starting to level out and could crest as soon as Monday night at or near 48 feet. Forecasters had previously predicted the crest would come Tuesday.
Memphis Mayor AC Wharton said lessons from past disasters have shown city officials the importance of going door-to-door to warn residents in flood-prone areas. He said patrols of neighborhoods also have been stepped up to prevent looting.