A forecast update provided by our colleagues from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center (LMRFC) is attached. This update was released as cresting conditions along the Ohio River are expected over the next few days.  The crest at the conjunction of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers at Cairo, IL is expected to reach 47.0 feet on March 4, 2022before beginning a slow fall.   

The following details are reproduced from the attached report: 

“The lower Ohio River is near crest now and should start to slowly recede over the coming days. 

Another weather system is expected over the weekend and early indications are the rainfall associated with the system would prolong elevated water levels and not raise current crest levels on the lower Ohio River.  Minor to moderate flooding will continue on the lower Ohio River for several more weeks. 

The weather system may cause renewed minor to moderate flooding on the smaller tributaries in southeast Missouri, north Arkansas, and west Tennessee.

As the crest moves downstream on the lower Mississippi River, minor flooding is expected from New Madrid, MO to Osceola, AR. Minor flooding is also expected at Red River Landing, LA.

The crest levels on the lower Ohio River will be similar to levels reached in March and April of 2021.  

The 16 day future rainfall guidance continues to show the same crests on the lower Ohio and lower Mississippi Rivers.  The guidance does shows flooding continuing a few more weeks on the lower Ohio River and keeping the lower Mississippi River elevated through March.”

Please see the attachment for complete details.