MEMPHIS - The Coast Guard issued a high water safety warning Thursday for the Lower Mississippi River after heavy rains and flooding further up the river system.

Capt. Timothy Wendy, commander of that stretch of that river for the USCG, issued the warning due to rising water levels as the flooding makes its way down river.

The warning applies to all river traffic from near Caruthersville, Mo. to near Natchez, Miss. It's expected to be in effect for several weeks, according to the Coast Guard.

Wendy said the Coast Guard and Corps of Engineers are reaching out to let people along that stretch of the river know about the warning, including VHF broadcasts on Channel 16. They asked boaters to avoid using the river because of the high levels and "significant" amount of debris.