Communities along the southern stretch of the Mississippi River are bracing for major floods as the crest of the swollen river moves downstream.

In poverty stricken areas of the Mississippi delta, the river and its tributaries have washed away crops and forced people to leave their homes.

The state of Mississippi's riverfront gambling industry has also been hit, with all 19 casinos to shut this week.

The flooding has badly affected Memphis and other cities further upstream.

The flood crest has passed Memphis and is expected to move downstream toward New Orleans within the next three weeks, the National Weather Service said.

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