A new report from the National Weather Service says there is an above normal risk for flooding this spring.
The National Weather Service Omaha Office issued a Flood Potential Outlook Thursday for the eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa region.
“The risk of flooding through the end of this outlook period, May 20, is above normal. Above normal precipitation through much of the fall and winter has led to high soil moisture readings across eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa,” according to the outlook.
The NWS says the following areas are the most susceptible to spring flooding:
- Missouri River (from the Platte River confluence to Rulo)
- West Nishnabotna River
- East Nishnabotna River
- Nishnabotna River
- Big Blue River
- Turkey Creek
- Wahoo Creek
- Salt Creek
KMTV Meteorologists Jim Flowers and Jennifer Zeppelin took a look at the data while streaming live on the KMTV Action 3 News Facebook page.
“If you take a look at these amounts, in terms of precipitation just in the last 90 days, this is the amounts that we’re above normal – 4, 6 inches, especially along and south of the Platte River. There’s even a little pocket in Omaha that’s 8 inches above normal in the last 90 days. And that’s a big deal, so we’re a little bit concerned, not so much about melting of snow or ice, but if we tack on some heavy rain on that, it does become a problem,” Flowers explained.
“So you have a number of areas, especially those low-lying areas that you’re going to see the biggest concerns here over the next three months,” added Zeppelin.
Officials say area rivers are already experiencing above normal flows with recent melting.
The next outlook will be released on March 3.
We are talking weather before KMTV Upfront at 4! Join us and ask some questions! (Don't forget to click the video for sound)
Posted by KMTV Action 3 News on Friday, February 19, 2016
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