classes went on as planned. >> i felt like we were spared. i feel like we were prepared. we made the right moves. just a lot of prayers were answered. >> reporter: in some respects, it's a tale of two cities in memphis. iconic landmarks like graceland, the lorraine motel and the blues clubs are untouched. yet several hundred homes are likely a total loss beneath this muddy soup leaving dozens of families homeless as the river moves south mississippi and louisiana are in its cross hairs. >> we're at the head of the delta. it's the folks down below, you know, in the lower lying areas that need hope. although the mississippi hasn't crested in the delta yet, the river is already impacting towns into mississippi and louisiana. engineers are working to open 44 more gates at the spillway north of baton rouge to divert water away from down stream