Rains Cause Rivers to Rise, Raise Flooding Concerns

Posted 3/5/13

ST. LOUIS (AP) — More heavy rain and late-season snow are creating new flood concerns for Midwest river towns still cleaning up from April flooding, though forecasters say the waters won't rise as …

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Rains Cause Rivers to Rise, Raise Flooding Concerns

Posted

ST. LOUIS (AP) — More heavy rain and late-season snow are creating new flood concerns for Midwest river towns still cleaning up from April flooding, though forecasters say the waters won't rise as high as last month. Precipitation pelted the heartland Thursday and Friday, and was expected to continue through the weekend. Up to 4½ inches of rain was expected in the St. Louis area alone through Sunday, said National Weather Service hydrologist Mark Fuchs. The timing isn't great. Heavy rain last month led to significant flooding on the Mississippi River and in some cases record flooding on the Illinois River. Both still are flooding at many locations in Missouri and Illinois, and will see a bump from the new rain. Fuchs said the rivers should crest again next week, though well short of last month's levels. He expects Missouri towns along the Mississippi north of St. Louis to see crests 6-7 feet above flood stage, which is a somewhat arbitrary term that the weather service defines as the point when "water surface level begins to create a hazard to lives, property or commerce." But that still will be 3-4 feet below the April crests. It's still enough to cause some concern for Richard Murry, emergency management director in Pike County, Mo. April flooding damaged a few dozen homes, closed several businesses and shut down dozens of roads in the rural area north of St. Louis. It also forced the Champ Clark Bridge, a Mississippi River crossing at Louisiana, Mo., to close for several days. The Mississippi River reached 25 feet last month in Louisiana, 10 feet above flood stage. It is expected to crest at 21.3 feet Tuesday.


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