The Mississippi River hit 57 feet on the Natchez river gauge with at least another foot of rise expected over the next few days before the river begins to recede.

As the river spreads out of its bank and picks up velocity, the danger of getting too close the edge rises.

Safely from the bank one can see the roiling and swirling power of the river, which grows in magnitude with each additional inch of river level.

The river’s power is truly awesome, but so is the resolve of our people.

The business owners along the river — which includes a couple of restaurants, a bar, a gift shop and a casino — say despite the rising tide, they’re open and need your business.

In fact, patronizing one of the businesses is a great way to see the beauty of the Mighty Mississippi in a major flood.

Over the next couple of days, the river’s power will become quite a spectacle.

Enjoy the river’s beauty, but do so from a safe distance — from one Natchez Under-the-Hill’s establishments is a great place to have a front-seat view of the near-historic flood.