More Rainstorms Approach Weary, Waterlogged Midwest

Forecasters say potentially heavy rains may move back into southern Missouri and southern Illinois on Thursday into Friday which could create severe flooding once again for the Meramec River in southern Missouri and the Big Muddy River in southern Illinois.

FEMA Director David Paulison, right, and Missouri Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder toured flooded areas along the Mississippi River today. (Photo courtesy Office of the Lt. Governor)

Flood watches and warnings remain in effect for the Ohio, Tennessee and Mississippi River Basins. River gauges monitored by the National Weather Service indicate three river locations experiencing major flooding and 120 gauges show some degree of flooding. In addition, numerous river gauges in the Mid-Mississippi Valley, Wisconsin and Indiana are currently near flood stage.

Renewed flooding is occurring or predicted in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and northern Indiana due to the storms that occurred on Monday and Tuesday.

State emergency management offices are operating in all of the affected states, some working 24/7 to to deal with flooding situations.

In Texas, there is one confirmed fatality due to the flooding and three people remain missing. The State Division of Emergency Management is working around the clock and has requested a proclamation of disaster for Sabine and San Augustine counties from Governor Rick Perry.

Ten inches of rain fell over Sabine and San Augustine Counties in east Texas on the evening of Sunday, March 30, causing widespread flooding. The Asish Bayou south of San Augustine has returned to below flood stage after having recorded record flooding that night.

The Sabine River near Longview crested on Tuesday approximately 7 feet above flood stage and has begun to slowly recede.

County roads in the area have been closed and homes have been flooded, while electric power and public water supplies have failed for hundreds of people.

The privately owned Bland Lake Dam was overtopped by three to four feet of water during the heavy rains. The spillway and crest suffered some damage; the dam is believed to be structurally sound, but a state dam safety engineer is en route to conduct further assessment.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management continues to respond along with numerous state, county, local and civilian agencies and reports that no federal assistance is required and there are no unmet needs.

In Arkansas, where floods have been especially devastating over the past two weeks, fatalities remain at two; however, the current number of injuries and/or missing personnel are being investigated.

Flooding at Beaver, Arkansas submerges a bridge. (Photo by Cormack Nette)

There are 35 counties affected, with several areas experiencing water supply problems due to flooding and inoperable treatment systems. Boil water orders remain in effect.

The White River at Des Arc, Arkansas is at Major Flood Stage and continues to recede. The river reached moderate flood stage late Wednesday.

The White River at Clarendon, Arkansas will remain at major flood stage through Sunday, April 6, the National Weather Service predicts.

One section of levee at Pocahontas remains under water and local crews may attempt to conduct temporary repairs when drainage permits.

In Indiana, one death and eight injuries are reported. Local and state preliminary damage assessments are being conducted and there has been no official requests for federal assistance. Flooding on the White, Wabash and Pakota rivers is expected to recede over the next seven days.

In Illinois, two deaths have been attributed to the flooding. Illinois has requested Joint Federal/State Individual Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessments for 12 counties. Four teams began assessing the damages on Wednesday.

The Big Muddy River near Murphysboro, Ilinois is at Moderate Flood Stage and rising. Forecasters expect it to crest Saturday, April 5, at eight feet above flood stage, before beginning to fall again.

In Louisiana, the flood risk continues along the Mississippi River throughout the week, although at New Orleans the river is below flood stage and is forecast to remain below flood stage through the forecast period.

The Mississippi River at the Louisiana state capital of Baton Rouge is above flood stage and will continue to rise to over two feet above flood stage by Saturday, April 5.

The Mississippi at Red River Landing is nearly five feet above flood stage and continues to rise. The river is forecast to continue to rise to nearly seven feet above flood stage through Sunday, April 6.

The Army Corp of Engineers predicts no overtopping of Mississippi River levees based on the forecast from the National Weather Service. The flooding that is projected is either between the levee and the Mississippi River or caused from backwaters such as bayous and streams that empty into the Mississippi River.

Currently, no problems have been identified so far, and there has been no request for state assistance.

In the state of Mississippi, risk of flooding increases along the Mississippi River through the week with numerous flood warnings continuing for Greenville, Vicksburg and Natchez until further notice.

Missouri, which experienced devastating floods in March is beginning to recover, and the Stated Emergency Operations Center is not activated at this time.

Five people died in the March floods in Missouri, while more than 1,240 homes have been damaged, destroyed or affected. An estimated 50 businesses have been destroyed or sustained damage as well. The three breaks in the levee near Poplar Bluff have been repaired and only six state roads remain closed.

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