Managers of Memphis area credit unions, spared any propertydamage or worse so far from the flood-swollen Mississippi River,were crossing their fingers Tuesday that they could avoidevacuation orders even as they continued issuing alerts to membersto be careful of high water as they approached CU facilities.

“We have a couple of our branches close to the river and webrought in an extra generator in case we lost power but so far noproblem,” said a spokesman for the $136 million Hope Community CUof Jackson, Miss., which has three branches in Memphis, Tenn. andWest Memphis, Ark.

Daniel Weickenand, CEO of the $529 million Memphis Area TeachersCU said, “We have our eye on a couple of branches in the flood zonebut we think we'll be ok.”

However, “we are aware of at least one commercial loan impactedby the flood,” said Weickenand, stressing that the CU “will workwith everyone in order to relieve as much stress from this horriblesituation as possible. We have contributed to the local Red Cross,and will continue to see what we can do to provide assistance toour members and the community as needed. “Memphis is a veryresilient city,” said Weickenand, adding,”we will come out of thisstronger due to the adversity.”

Officials of the $95 million Kimberly Clark CU, also in a floodzone, said employees “had to find different routes to work the lastfew days,” but that flooding fears had abated for the time being.“So far they haven't evacuated the nursing home across the street,”which would be a signal that the CU would be next, said aspokeswoman.

Hope CU said it put up a notice on its website warning that itis “preparing for rising waters in some” local markets.“Please exercise caution when approaching areas that may beaffected by high water and check back for more information,” saidthe website.