Rivers begin to recede in Missouri and Illinois as record flooding persists

• At least 28 people dead as local rivers crest above or near record-highs
• Tennessee and Louisiana to be affected by flooding in coming days

Overflowing rivers receded in Missouri and Illinois on Friday after flooding swamped communities and forced towns to evacuate, but forecasters warned rain-swollen waterways could menace southern states downstream.

Rare winter floods have killed at least 28 people in the Midwest since last weekend, most of them when they drove into flooded areas after days of downpours. Midwest floods typically occur in the spring as snowmelt swells rivers.