Platte River Flooding Impacts Multiple Counties in Northwest Missouri
Platte River flooding affects multiple counties in northwest Missouri with waters reaching over three feet above flood stage in some areas.
PLATTE CITY, MISSOURI — The National Weather Service issued flood warnings Tuesday morning for several locations along the Platte River in northwest Missouri, with minor to moderate flooding affecting Platte and Buchanan counties through Thursday evening.
The weather service reported that three monitoring stations along the Platte River were experiencing flooding as of 7:30 AM Tuesday. The river near Platte City measured 23.1 feet, more than three feet above the 20.0-foot flood stage, according to the National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill office.
At Sharps Station in Platte County, the river reached 29.0 feet Tuesday morning, prompting a moderate flooding forecast. The flood stage at that location is 26.0 feet. Near Agency in Buchanan County, the river stood at 23.3 feet, also above the 20.0-foot flood stage.
Current Flood Impacts
The rising waters have begun affecting rural areas and transportation routes across the region. Cropland near State Highway 92 near Platte City started flooding when the river reached 20.0 feet. With current levels at 23.1 feet, the Humphreys Access Area, located five miles downstream from Platte City, is experiencing flooding along with approximately 300 acres of pasture land.
At Sharps Station, backwater from the Platte River has flooded Highway KK along the Little Platte River at a location 0.2 miles east of Highway B. Low-lying rural land along the river began flooding when water levels reached 26.0 feet at that monitoring point.
Near Agency, low-lying areas east of the community started flooding when the river reached 20.0 feet. Current levels of 23.3 feet indicate flooding is approaching the east border of Agency, which typically occurs at 25.0 feet.
Flood Forecast and Recovery Timeline
Weather service forecasters predict the Platte River near Platte City will crest at 23.2 feet Tuesday evening before beginning to recede. The river is expected to fall below flood stage late Wednesday evening, with the flood warning expiring at 10:12 PM Thursday.
At Sharps Station, the river is currently cresting near 29 feet and will fall below flood stage early Wednesday afternoon. The flood warning for that location expires at 2:15 PM Thursday.
The fastest recovery is expected near Agency, where the river should drop below flood stage just after midnight Tuesday night. Forecasters predict water levels will continue falling to 8.3 feet by Sunday morning, with the flood warning set to expire at 12:30 AM Thursday.
Potential Additional Impacts
If water levels continue rising beyond current forecasts, additional areas could face flooding. Near Platte City, water would overtop 1st Street in Tracy, Missouri, if the river reaches 25.0 feet. At Sharps Station, Interurban Road would flood about 1.5 miles southeast of the monitoring station if levels reach 30.5 feet.
The National Weather Service advised residents to monitor conditions closely and avoid driving through flooded roadways. All three flood warnings remain in effect through at least Wednesday, with updates available through the weather service’s flood safety website.
