Fears of river flooding rise in Mississippi, Ohio valleys amid mandatory evacuations
More than 50 river locations are currently experiencing or expected to reach major flood stage over the next few days, and another 90 river locations are forecast to reach moderate flood stage. On Monday, the Ohio River in Cincinnati reached its highest level in 28 years.
Major flooding builds for Ohio, Mississippi rivers after areas see over 1 foot of rain
After more than 12 inches of rain fell over the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, the water is causing river flooding which is forecast to continue for the next two weeks. Already some rivers have reached levels higher than they have seen in decades. FOX Weather Meteorologist Ari Sarsalari explains why the flooding concerns will last through April.
CINCINNATI – As a record rain event comes to an end for the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys, flooding impacts will continue this week amid mandatory evacuations as floodwaters flow into streams and rivers, likely causing more flooding in previously spared areas.
The FOX Forecast Center said the storm system that brought six Flash Flood Emergencies and a deadly tornado outbreak across multiple states since last week will finally exit off the East Coast by Tuesday.
AT LEAST 19 DEAD AS TORNADOES, SEVERE WEATHER, FLOODING RAVAGE SEVERAL STATES
Over a foot of rain fell in Kentucky, western Tennessee and Arkansas throughout this event. Now, all this water needs to go somewhere.
The Kentucky River in Frankfort reached 48.27 feet at 5 a.m. ET on Monday. This is only 0.2 feet (2.4 inches) below the all-time record crest of 48.47 feet, set on Dec. 10, 1978.
Rising waters are forcing mandatory evacuations in the state. Pendleton County Emergency Management ordered residents in Falmouth and Butler to leave town over the weekend. An order of mandatory evacuation was also issued for Palisades at the Kentucky River in Mercer County.
Some of the damage was already apparent in the state as residents in Frankfort saw a damaged home swept up and floating down the swollen Kentucky River.
Building spotted floating down the Kentucky River
A large building was spotted drifting down the Kentucky River between Lexington and Louisville on Saturday, following catastrophic flooding across the Blue Grass State.
Meanwhile, more than 50 river locations are currently experiencing or expected to reach major flood stage over the next few days, and another 90 river locations are forecast to reach moderate flood stage.
According to the National Weather Service, the Ohio River in Cincinnati reached 60.59 feet on Monday, the highest in 28 years.
In Louisville, Kentucky, the Ohio River is expected to crest at its highest level in seven years on Wednesday.
OHIO RIVER IN CINCINNATI FORECAST TO REACH 60 FEET MONDAY AS FLOODING CONTINUES
Water rescues were underway throughout the weekend along rivers, including in Columbus, Indiana.
Columbus Fire Rescue completed a 12-person rescue along the White River near East Fork on Sunday when flooding stranded a group of unhoused individuals. The White River crested at a major flood stage of 17.09 feet on Sunday, according to NOAA's National Water Prediction Service.
The Kentucky River in Woodford County is forecast to reach a potential record 49.5 feet on Monday. Over the weekend, emergency management officials ordered evacuations.
"If you're near the river, and you have any proximity to water, you need to leave," Woodford County Judge Executive James Kay said on Sunday.
FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar said all this rain will eventually flow into major rivers, including the Ohio River and Mississippi River.
"So that means other tributary streams and creeks downstream of where all of this heavy rain has fallen is going to start to flow in, and that big flow into our major rivers is what is going to ultimately lead to more water rises, and we are expecting significant river flooding over the next several days for this upcoming week," Minar said. "That means areas that might not see flooding right now will and could definitely be in a dangerous situation with that flooding potential."
Paducah, Kentucky, along the Ohio River, and Memphis, Tennessee, along the Mississippi River, are areas of concern for flooding early this week.
This flooding concern will last through most of April.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, rainfall water on the Mississippi River is forecast to reach Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in more than two and a half weeks, and water levels could rise to the highest level in four years.
"That's the biggest threat here with communities that live along the river expected to see that water rise," Minar said. "We can expect to see some concerns for businesses and buildings, just driving along the way as well. You don't ever want to drive through floodwaters, but this is gonna be a really difficult task."