Little Osage River Near Horton Experiences Minor Flooding
Little Osage River near Horton reaches 42.0 feet, one foot above flood stage, with minor flooding expected to continue until Wednesday afternoon.
HORTON, MISSOURI — The Little Osage River near Horton is experiencing minor flooding that is expected to continue until early Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service Springfield office.
The flood warning, issued Tuesday at 8:21 AM CDT, will remain in effect until June 3 at 2:00 PM CDT. At 7:45 AM Tuesday, the river stage measured 42.0 feet, one foot above the 41.0-foot flood stage.
The flooding affects Vernon County, with low-lying areas near the gauge site and farmland along the river experiencing water impacts. The river reached a maximum stage of 42.2 feet within the 24 hours ending Tuesday morning.
River Expected to Recede
Weather service forecasters predict the river will fall below flood stage Wednesday morning and continue dropping to 32.5 feet by Sunday morning. The current flood stage of 41.0 feet also represents the river’s bankfull stage.
This flooding event matches a previous crest that occurred on March 29, 2010, when the Little Osage River also reached 42.0 feet near Horton.
Minor Flooding Impacts
The National Weather Service categorizes the current event as minor flooding, which typically affects agricultural areas and low-lying terrain adjacent to the river. The weather service has not reported any immediate threats to structures or major transportation routes in the affected area.
The Little Osage River flooding warning covers multiple locations along the waterway, including Fulton and Horton, where minor flooding conditions are forecast to persist through the warning period.
Residents and farmers in Vernon County should monitor river conditions and avoid driving through flooded roadways. The National Weather Service advises the public to turn around and find alternate routes when encountering water-covered roads.
