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Severe Thunderstorm and Heavy Rainfall Potential Continues

A low pressure center tracking across the Great Lakes and its associated cold front extending across the Southern Plains will focus occasional showers and thunderstorms through tonight. A few of these thunderstorms may become severe alongside heavy rainfall that may cause flash flooding; Portions of the Southern Plains would be the greatest threat for these hazards through tonight. Read More >

Overview

Significant flooding occurred across eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois, and northeast Missouri during Spring 2019.  Moderate to Major flooding was observed on most Iowa and Illinois tributary rivers due to snowmelt, frozen ground, ice jams, saturated soils, and rainfall from March 9th-12th and again in late April/early May.  The higher crests occurred on the Rock and Pecatonica Rivers in Illinois, and on the Skunk, English, Cedar, Wapsipinicon, and Maquoketa Rivers in Iowa.  Most of these rivers crested during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of March and again in early May.

Significant flooding also occurred on the mainstem Mississippi largely due to the snowmelt in Minnesota and Wisconsin, frozen ground, rainfall in early March, and saturated soils.  Major flooding was observed at all sites along the Mississippi and ALL sites saw one of their top 5 crests on record.  The Quad Cities river gauge at Rock Island Lock and Dam, broke its all-time record flood crest in 1993, with a preliminary crest of 22.70 ft.  This flooding had numerous impacts, with many roads, businesses, homes, and people affected.

 

 

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Mississippi River on 3/25/19 - Davenport, IA  Photo: Steve Toft (QC Drone)
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Mississippi River Flooding in Davenport IA - March 25th
Video: Steve Toft (QC Drone)
Illinois City Lock and Dam 16 - April 8th
Photo: Nick Schnerre
Freeport IL - March 17th
Photo: Stephenson County EMA
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