by Steve Dunford –
The Flood Warning for Franklin County continues until 11:45 p.m. tomorrow for the entire county. I was anticipating this to be reduced to just the Big Muddy but the NWS is keeping it out one more day. All of the statements by the national weather service will be posted at the end of the story.
There is a Flash Flood Watch that will start on Wednesday morning into Thursday as heavy rains are forecasts.
Road Closures will be posted with the weather reports starting tomorrow unless the heavy rains start to hit us again.
Above is the pool for Rend Lake today. Despite the high waters, a representative from the Army Corps of Engineers stated that South Sandusky and the bike trail below the dam in places is the only two facilities that are closed. There is a wind advisory for area lakes until 6:00 p.m.
He also said a loop of Wayne Fitzgerell campground was closed, he was unsure which one was. I could not make contact with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. From past precedence, I would speculate it is Hickman Point and possibly the boat ramp.
The Big Muddy River at Plumfield has crested. Today’s river stage forecast shows the river being in moderate flood stage longer than expected. There Mississippi is supposed to crest in Chester on Thursday on the , and as of now the bridge is still open. Near record crest are still in the forecast for Cape Girardeau and Thebes.
Here are statements that are issued by the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY.
FLOOD WARNING ENTIRE COUNTY
The National Weather Service in Paducah has extended the * Flood Warning for… Perry County in south central Illinois… Wayne County in south central Illinois… Williamson County in southern Illinois… Saline County in southern Illinois… Jackson County in southern Illinois… Franklin County in south central Illinois… Hamilton County in south central Illinois… * Until 1145 AM CDT Wednesday
* At 1123 AM CDT, numerous state and county roads in several of the warned counties remain flooded or impassable across much of Southern Illinois. Water has receded from several area roads, but several county and emergency management officials still request that the flood warning remain in place for public safety. Another round of rain is expected Wednesday and Wednesday Night and may lead to additional flooding.
FLOOD WARNING FOR THE BIG MUDDY
The National Weather Service in Paducah KY has issued a flood warning for the Big Muddy River near Plumfield and Murphysboro The Big Muddy River will continue to rise at Murphysboro Illinois with a crest of 39.8 feet on Thursday morning. Plumfield Illinois will crest this evening at 28.7 feet and then begin a slow fall.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… SAFETY MESSAGE… Never drive cars…trucks or sport utility vehicles through flooded areas. The water may be too deep to allow safe passage. Never allow children to play in or near flood waters. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your local media for further statements and possible updated forecasts.
LAKE WIND ADVISORY
The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Lake Wind Advisory, which is in effect from noon today to 6 PM CDT this evening.
* WINDS…Will be sustained from 15 to 20 mph. Gusts will range from 20 to 30 mph. The strongest winds are expected over the Evansville Tri State.
* IMPACTS…The strong gusty winds will pose a hazard to small boat operators on area lakes and rivers. Flood recovery efforts will also be negatively impacted, especially where boats are needed for checking flooded property
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Lake Wind Advisory indicates that winds will cause rough chop on area lakes. Small boats will be especially prone to capsizing.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .
DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Following the weekend heavy rainfall, flooding continues in parts of our region. Major to record flooding exists on smaller rivers, as well as the Mississippi River, in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois. Please check the latest flood statements and warnings for details. .
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Wednesday through Monday River flooding will continue through next weekend. Some of the larger mainstem rivers such as the Mississippi River will rise throughout the week. Some of the smaller rivers will begin to recede Tuesday. Please check the most recent river flood statements for the latest forecast information.
A slight chance of thunderstorms is forecast for all or a portion of the area Wednesday and Thursday. Lightning and locally heavy rainfall will be the primary concerns. Rainfall well over an inch from Wednesday through Thursday may aggravate existing flooding or lead to new flooding, especially over portions of southern Illinois, southeast Missouri, and southwest Indiana.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a * Flash Flood Watch for a portion of southern Illinois, including the following areas, Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Perry IL, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne IL, White, and Williamson. * From Wednesday morning through Thursday evening *
Another weather system will bring an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain to parts of Southern Illinois. The Flash Flood Watch will include all of the counties in Southern Illinois, along and northwest of a line from Cairo, Dongola, Vienna, Shawneetown, and Mount Carmel Illinois. Numerous counties in Southern Illinois continue to experience flooding on some roadways and low lying areas. A brief period of heavier rain will be possible Wednesday morning, but the main threat for heavy rain will be Wednesday night into Thursday afternoon. Given the already saturated ground, rainfall will runoff into creeks and low lying areas faster. *
This additional rainfall will likely worsen already flooded areas in the watch area, as well as cause flood waters to rise in those areas that have seen water drain away on Monday and Tuesday. Repeat flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas will be possible and dangerous flash flooding on smaller creeks and streams will be likely.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. &&
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