All eyes in the Miss-Lou are on one thing these days — the rising waters of the Mississippi River.

As forecasters do their best to crunch the numbers in an effort to accurately predict when the near-record high water levels will subside, hundreds of residents continue to flock to the waterside to see the power of Mother Nature.

The swollen Mississippi keeps inching closer and closer, temporarily reclaiming what was, until recently, dry land and swallowing up both property and a sense of security for many who live near the river.

On Friday, as crest numbers continue to vacillate almost on the hour and water began seeping back up the storm drains and onto the Vidalia River Walk, something more ominous — perhaps than even the flood waters — looms.

While the physical damage caused by the flooding is relatively easy to see, it’s the environmental damage that may not be fully realized for months.

As the floodwaters rise they pick up all sorts of things along the route to the Gulf of Mexico.

Flooded farmlands taint the water with fertilizers and other chemicals. Trash that is picked up and floated along also riddles the water with all sorts of toxic substances.

From motor oil and fuel containers to jugs of cleaning supplies and cans of paint, the edges of the river are now a smorgasbord of environmentally hazardous chemicals.

We encourage city, county, state and national leaders to not forget the environmental damage.

When the floodwaters recede and people’s lives begin getting back to normal, an environmental disaster is likely still going to be either floating into the Gulf of Mexico or resting on the river banks.