it has been since 1937 when memphis saw this kind of flooding. the mississippi is expected to crest in the city wednesday, nearly 14 feet above flood stage. here now is cnn's david mattingly. >> reporter: four days from its projected peak in the mighty mississippi is not done with memphis by a long shot. a few houses already in the water. the owners apparently heeding evacuation warnings. but neighbors on a little higher ground still not so sure. >> it's 45 now. it's supposed to come to 48. if it goes over 48, we'll probably have to move. >> reporter: how much faith do you have in those predictions? >> goodness, i don't know. >> reporter: all along the banks, water pushes into areas that haven't seen flooding in generations. anything that isn't protected by a levee is in danger of being covered by the relentless waters. but some of the worst damage so far is nowhere near the riverfront. with the water in the mississippi continuing to rise,