The Miss-Lou has been blessed by the Mississippi River’s flooding.

Truly, we have, and we’d all be wise to utter a few thank you praises to the heavens for our luck.

Even if the worst happens — which it still could — the Miss-Lou is fortunate.

Just ask the folks in Joplin, Mo.

Joplin didn’t have much of a warning. They had no time to prepare.

And the city is suffering now.

Though Natchez and Joplin are both enduring natural disasters, Mother Nature’s wrath in Joplin was different.

As of Tuesday night, 122 people had been confirmed dead in the small town. More than 700 were injured.

It’s an unimaginable burden for a city not much bigger than our community.

So, today, as you peek at the high waters of the Mississippi for yet another day and worry about your property, you family’s property or your city’s infrastructure, remember Joplin and remember how lucky the Miss-Lou is.

Let’s also say thank you to the National Weather Service forecasters, the engineers at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, local leaders and the Fifth District Levee Board for their tireless work that has kept us safe thus far.

Today, we thank God for his protection over us as our thoughts and prayers turn to Joplin.