Heat Persists in the South Central U.S. and Southwest; Heavy rains in the Desert Southwest and Central Plains

Sweltering heat remains across the South-Central Plains, Lower/Middle Mississippi Valley, and the Southwest this week with limited nighttime relief. Thunderstorms will bring heavy rainfall leading to localized flash flooding in portions of the Desert Southwest and central Plains. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of the central Plains into the Northeast. Read More >

Overview

Repeated rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall across the entire Ohio River basin totaled between 8 to 9 inches along and on either side of the Ohio River from February 15 to March 1. These totals were 200 to 400% above normal values for mid to late February. The large areal extent of the excessive rainfall led to significant rises on area rivers, including the Ohio River. This was the biggest flood on the Ohio River in Louisville since March 1997.

Ohio River flooding at the Galt House in downtown Louisville February 24, 2018

Flooding
Photos
Rainfall

Flooding

Flooding was seen at most of the river forecast sites. Moderate to major flooding was recorded on the Ohio River as well as at a few if the gauges on smaller rivers across the region. This was also a top 10 flood for multiple sites.

Hydrographs

Ohio River at Clifty Creek

Crested at 457.3 ft. -13th highest crest on record

Ohio River at McAlpine Upper

Crested at 35.64 ft. - 10th highest crest on record

Ohio River at McAlpine Lower

Crested at 67.13 ft. - 12th highest crest on record

Ohio River at Cannelton Lock and Dam

Crested at 50.68 feet - 7th highest crest on record

Ohio River at Tell City

Crested at 49.3 ft. - 7th highest crest on record

Rolling Fork River near Boston

Crested at 44.66 ft. - 26th highest crest on record

Salt River at Shepherdsville

Crested at 35.01 feet - 7th highest crest on record

Elkhorn Creek at Peaks Mill

Crested at 13.05 ft. - 18th highest crest on record

Rough River near Dundee

Crested at 28.22 ft. - 26th highest crest on record

Photos:


Ohio River flooding along River Road in Louisville Feb. 25 - Photo courtesy Molly Miller	Ohio River flooding along River Road in Louisville Feb. 25 - Photo courtesy Molly Miller	Ohio River flooding along River Road in Louisville Feb. 25 - Photo courtesy Molly Miller	Flooding in downtown Louisville near the Galt House Feb. 25


Flooding in downtown Louisville near the Galt House Feb. 25	McAlpine Lock Feb. 23 with the Ohio River at 30.3 feet on the McAlpine Upper gauge	Flooding in Hodgenville, KY on Feb. 23	Flooding at Boston on the Rolling Fork River at 41.2 feet on the gauge

Rain Reports


7 day rainfall forecast from WPC issued Wednesday, February 21	5 day total precipitation ending February 25	5 day total precipitation ending February 25	Rainfall over much of the lower Ohio Valley was 200-300% of normal for February.