Flooding sparks emergency in US

A state of emergency has been declared in Wisconsin after the Mississippi River broke its banks swamping towns and cities with floodwater.

Residents are desperately trying to save their homes by evacuating property and building sandbag dams.

A winter thaw and heavy spring rain has caused stretches of the Mississippi to rise 16 feet above normal levels.

Iowa and Minnesota have also been affected. The flood waters are expected to peak on Wednesday.

Hundreds of volunteers and army cadets are filling sandbags for the expected crest later in the week.

At La Crosse the river is expected to peak at 17 feet on Wednesday, six feet above flood level, reports the National Weather Service

Railroad tracks are under water and roads and bridges closed in the flood areas.

The Wisconsin National Guard is on alert. Police are also prepared for looting of evacuated homes.

Heavy winter snowfall then a cold snap in late March followed by unseasonably warm weather and heavy rainfall in April has caused the floods.

The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army has set up emergency shelters.