The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center (LMRFC) released this update on river stage conditions (today).
“The rain event has started and the middle Mississippi and Ohio Valleys has received 1 to 3 inches of rainfall. Another round of 1 to 4 inches of rainfall is expected from Arkansas extending northeast into the lower Ohio Valley.
Minor flooding is forecast for the lower Ohio River from Olmsted Lock and Dam, IL to Cairo, IL. Cairo, IL is forecast to crest at 43.0ft on March 31st. This crest would be about a foot less than the crest that occurred a couple of weeks ago.
Minor flooding continues on the lower Mississippi River at Red River Landing, LA and it should fall below flood stage early next week.
Rises from the lower Ohio River will start to move downstream on the lower Mississippi River and renewed minor flooding may be possible for portions of the lower Mississippi River.
The 16 day future rainfall guidance is showing higher crest levels on the lower Ohio River. The model is showing Cairo, IL cresting near 45.0ft for April 1st which is a couple of feet higher than the official forecast. This crest would be a foot higher than the crest earlier this month. The minor flooding is also extended through the second week of April.
Since we have another day of rainfall, continued adjustments will be made to the forecast in the coming days.” (Emphasis applied)
