River Flooding Concerns

There are growing concerns that River Flooding in the coming weeks could be major.

Conditions that set up the playing field.
- Well Above Average Precipitation since late February.
- Ongoing flooding in IL/IN.
- Ohio River is already in Minor to Moderate Flood State.
- A Mississippi River that is above flood state(prevents the Ohio River from emptying out excess water)
- A lot of excess groundwater in the area.
- Heavy Rain event this weekend and into next week.
- Combination of spring snow melt water and heavy rains across the Northern US which could help to contribute to the flooding.

There is potential for a Major Flooding event along the Ohio River. Depending on how heavy the rain is above the Ohio River and along the Ohio River determines how high the river will crest. Remember you don't really have to have heavy rain along the Ohio River if heavy flooding rains far in the drainage basin it will runoff to the Ohio River. Other rivers that lead to the Ohio in IL,IN,OH, and PA could contribute more runoff. A Mississippi River that is above flood stage prevents the Ohio River from emptying it's excess water. A major flood on the Ohio can spill into it's tributary the Mississippi.

Concern is for anyone who lives near the Ohio or Mississippi River or even a close tributary. Flash Flooding may also be an issue across NW KY tonight into tomorrow. Again Flash Flooding issues may also exist on Monday Night into Wednesday. River Flooding will more then likely be the bigger threat after all the rain that we get plus all the rain in the drainage basins drains into the Ohio and then the Mississippi Rivers. If you live in an area near the OH or MS river or a close tributary the time is now to prepare a disaster kit in case evacuation is necessary. Also like in the 2010 event areas near the lakes may also become flooded if TVA lets the Ohio River drain into the Land Between the Lakes area.