Widespread Flooding Hits Northern Missouri After Heavy Rainfall
Heavy rainfall dumped up to 4.5 inches across northern Missouri, triggering multiple flood warnings and road closures as rivers continue rising.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI — Multiple flood warnings remained in effect across northern and central Missouri on Tuesday after heavy rainfall dumped between 1 and 4.5 inches across the region during a 24-hour period, prompting numerous road closures and rising water levels on several rivers.
The National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill office issued flood warnings for seven counties in northern Missouri, including Northwestern Harrison County, Northern Andrew County, Atchison County, Gentry County, Holt County, Nodaway County, and Worth County. The warning extends until 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the weather service.
Road Closures and Transportation Impacts
Transportation department officials reported road closures due to the flooding conditions. Communities experiencing flooding include Maryville, Albany, Tarkio, Stanberry, Mound City, Rock Port, Grant City, Fairfax, and Burlington Junction.
“Numerous roads remain closed due to flooding. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall,” the National Weather Service reported at 9:25 a.m. Tuesday.
River Levels Continue Rising
Several rivers across central Missouri reached or exceeded flood stage Tuesday morning. The Grand River near Chillicothe measured 32.0 feet at 7:45 a.m., with forecasters predicting it will crest at 35.1 feet Tuesday evening before falling below the 24.0-foot flood stage Thursday morning.
The Blackwater River at Valley City stood at 22.7 feet at 8:00 a.m., already above the 22.0-foot flood stage. The river is expected to reach 26.3 feet Tuesday evening before receding below flood stage Wednesday morning.
At the Lamine River near Otterville, water levels measured 15.2 feet at 8:15 a.m. and are forecast to crest at 18.6 feet just after midnight Tuesday. When the river reaches 18.0 feet, gravel roads upstream and downstream from Otterville become submerged, and State Highway 135 may be overtopped by flood waters 2 miles north of Clifton City.
Extended Flooding Expected
The Platte River at Sharps Station in Platte County is expected to rise above flood stage Tuesday evening, cresting at 28.6 feet Friday morning before falling below the 26.0-foot flood stage Friday evening. At 29.0 feet, backwater from the Platte River floods Highway KK along the Little Platte River.
The Grand River near Sumner, currently experiencing moderate flooding at 35.4 feet, is forecast to reach 36.6 feet Wednesday morning. At 37.0 feet, State Highway 139 floods a half mile east of Sumner.
The Missouri River at Napoleon, affecting Jackson, Ray, and Lafayette counties, is expected to rise above flood stage early Wednesday afternoon, reaching 17.2 feet Wednesday evening before falling below flood stage early Thursday morning.
Weather officials indicated that flooding impacts will continue, but no additional rainfall is expected in the affected areas.
