Monday, May 9th, 2011 — Forecasters said the Mississippi could crest at Memphis sooner than expected late Monday, but the mayor says the city is ready for it. Forecaster Joe Lowery of the National Weather Service office in Memphis said it looks like the river is starting to level out and could crest as soon as Monday night at or near 48 feet. Forecasters had previously predicted the crest would come Tuesday — which would be hours later than the new forecast. "So we don’t have as much time but fortunately we’re ready for it," Mayor A.C. Wharton Jr., said on "The Early Show" Monday.