Rounds of heavy rain late last week over South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota brought over a foot of rain in some locations. All of that water has to go somewhere, and it is flowing down the Missouri River this week. The latest river levels and forecasts are below.
Here are some impacts that can be expected from the flooding:
- I-29 and I-680 are impacted in Pottawattamie County.
- Riverfront parks in Omaha and Council Bluffs are impacted.
- Lowland agricultural land across the entire river is expected to flood.
- Water gets close to federal levees in northwest Missouri, but is not expected to be overtopped.
More details on the individual forecast at each river gauge sites are listed below: Information last updated: 5 p.m. Saturday
DECATUR
Current Level: 32.4'
Flooding Starts At: 35'
Crested: 37.6'
Crested: Wednesday
Lower than 2011, but higher than 2019
BLAIR
Current Level: 30.75'
Flooding Starts At: 26.5'
Crested: 32.2'
Crested: Thursday
Flood End Time: Tuesday
Lower than 2011 and 2019
Impacts: In Iowa, I-29 between Exit 61 (Crescent) and Exit 71 (Loveland), which is the 10 miles between I-680 and I-880 has been closed. Industrial locations along the river south of Blair flood. Several campgrounds are flooded. County Roads 34, 37, and 51 are flooded out east of Fort Calhoun.
OMAHA
Current Level: 32.6'
Flooding Starts At: 27'
Expected Crest: 33'
Flood Stage: MODERATE
Crest Time: Saturday Afternoon
Flood End Time: Wednesday
Similar to 2019 and lower than 2011
Impacts: In Iowa, I-680 from the Nebraska border to I-29 in Iowa has been closed. Flooding is expected in NP Dodge Park, Freedom Park, Tom Hanafan Park, Fontanelle Forest, and Haworth Park. Council Bluffs closes all floodgates. Parts of Lewis and Clark Landing at the Riverfront are closed. Floodwaters also top the Omaha Wastewater Treatment Facility road, impacting infrastructure.
PLATTSMOUTH
Current Level: 31.73'
Flooding Starts At: 26'
Expected Crest: 32.3'
Flood Stage: MODERATE
Crest Time: Sunday Morning
Flood End Time: Wednesday
Lower than 2011 and 2019
Impacts: Flooding is expected to impact the boat ramp and gauge site, as well as a private campground 1.5 miles north of Plattsmouth. The Water Treatment Plant road floods as well, but the Water Treatment Plant is not expected to flood.
NEBRASKA CITY
Current Level: 24.12'
Flooding Starts At: 18'
Expected Crest: 24.2'
Flood Stage: MODERATE
Crest Time: Sunday Morning
Flood End Time: Thursday
Lower than 2011 and 2019
Impacts: Floodwaters may get very close to Highway 2, but as of now it is not expected to go over the road. Low-lying areas around the river flood. Areas along North First Street in Nebraska City floods.
BROWNVILLE
Current Level: 39.53'
Flooding Starts At: 34'
Expected Crest: 41.2'
Flood Stage: MODERATE
Crest Time: Monday Afternoon
Flood End Time: Friday
Lower than 2011 and 2019
Impacts: Floodwaters will get very close to the top of the federal levee in Atchison County, Missouri. However, at this time the flood is not expected to overtop the levee. If this levee is overtopped, flooding could impact I-29 and US-136 in northwest Missouri. Lowlands flood, impacting agriculture. The parking lot and boat ramp south of US-136 floods, as well as the access road to the power plant and 648A Avenue.
RULO
Current Stage: 21.84'
Flood Starts At: 17'
Expected Crest: 23.8'
Flood Stage: MODERATE
Crest Time: Tuesday Morning
Flood End Time: Friday
Lower than 2011 and 2019
Impacts: Agricultural lowlands flood. Several riverfront cabins flood, as well as the boat ramp in Rulo. Flooding is not expected to impact US-159.
