WMBD/WYZZ-TV—QUINCY--Hundreds of Illinois National Guardsmen from Peoria’s 182nd Airlift Base rush against the Mississippi's currents to protect three remaining levees in Adams County.

182nd Airlift Wing Senior Airman, Adam Thompson, said, “The fact that the 182nd Airlift Wing can come out and represent Illinois, it's a great feeling. It's good for us to be out here and show them that we're here to help.”

182nd Airlift Wing Tech Sergeant, Keith Rodgers, said, “It's awesome, I grew up in Peoria so it's great to have Peoria’s name out here helping people.”

  Floods devastate more than 20,000 acres of farmland near Quincy. An area most recently hit--the Indian Graves.

The more than 30-foot flood has already wiped out nearly 7,000 acres of farmland in Indian Graves. Farm buildings also fell prey to the flood. Some are submerged at least halfway under water.

  Adams County Public Information Director Julie Shepard said, “That impacted 40-50 residents who were evacuated from the area.”

 For some it is a scene that is all too reminiscent of a time fifteen years ago.

“It's just devastation, a lot of people have put a lot of hours in trying to protect the levee, so a lot of heart break today,” said Shepard.         

  Still, Guardsmen of Peoria’s 182nd Airlift Base say they're striking the shovels and tying those sandbags for as long as they are needed.

“Last time I was here in '93, I was here for 2 months. So if it happens to be that way again, that's fine with me, “ said Rodgers.

“Whatever it takes to get the job done,” smiled Thompson.

 As they work arduously to fight the flood, they send a message of hope to its victims.

 “Just keep your spirits high. All that stuff can be replaced you know focus on saving what you can, but keep your spirits high, we're doing the best we can” nodded Thompson.

Adams County Public representatives expect the river to crest at 31.9 feet tomorrow afternoon.  Those calculations beat the 1993 record of 31.5 feet.