Missouri is under a state of emergency in anticipation of additional flooding as storm systems continue to strike the state through Memorial Day weekend. State and federal agencies are actively monitoring the threat along rivers and streams.
"Areas along the Missouri River and its tributaries in west-central Missouri are of particular concern because more rain could cause some levees to overtop," Gov. Jay Nixon observed Friday evening while declaring the emergency status.
However, the threat of flooding isn't limited to upstream sections of the Missouri River. A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service is active in Mid-Missouri including Jefferson City, Chamois, Gasconade and Hermann.
Flooding is likely, due to heavy precipitation across the basin this week and additional precipitation in the forecast. Heavy rains could cause river levels to rise even higher than predicted and forecasts will be revised as conditions change.
The Missouri River at Jefferson City was measured at 17.58 feet and rising Friday evening. Friday's forecast predicted the river would crest at 28.2 feet on Monday night, more than 5 feet over flood stage.
At Chamois, the river is expected to crest Wednesday at 25.3 feet, more than 8 feet above flood stage. At Gasconade, a crest of 31.5 feet is forecast for Wednesday, 11.5 feet above flood stage.
The crest at Hermann is predicted to come Wednesday at 29.4 feet, 8.4 feet above flood stage.
Meanwhile, the Moreau River at Jefferson City rose rapidly Friday, reaching 20 feet by 8 p.m., which is 3 feet above flood stage.
Water discharges at Bagnell Dam increased in the latter part of the week. Ameren Missouri reports the rate of release at around 37,000 cubic feet per second at 8 p.m. Friday.
Motorists should never drive any vehicle through flooded areas. The water may be too deep to allow safe passage, and even shallow water can carry a vehicle off the roadway when currents move swiftly.
Updates:
Eastern Missouri hydrological levels, forecasts at http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=LSX
Western Missouri hydrological levels, forecasts at http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=eax
Southern Missouri hydrological levels, forecasts at http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=sgf
MoDOT Traveler Information Map at http://traveler.modot.org/map/
Bagnell Dam daily report at http://apps.ameren.com/HydroElectric/Reports/Osage/HSTBagnellDaily.aspx