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SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - The rain that's supposed to become very heavy, long-lasting and probably ark-inspiring this weekend has begun across the readership area, and flood conditions are expected to be so bad that ISP Districts 12 and 19 are even warning folks about it.
Here's the material from their press releases:
The National Weather Service has issued a forecast of heavy rain for the next several days. District 12 & 19 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, would like to remind motorists to be safe when traveling through areas experiencing flooding. Motorists are urged to reduce their speed, drive with caution, and allow for extra time for travel. Excess water on the roadways can cause hazardous conditions.
The U.S. National Weather Service has posted a public service announcement (PSA) video called “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” to remind motorists of the dangers of crossing flooded roads. The PSA video and other flood-related information can be found at http://tadd.weather.gov/.
Flooding-related driving tips:
- Check road conditions prior to your trip. (The website and phone number to call are listed below.)
- Avoid driving through water that is over the roadway even if it seems shallow enough to pass through.
- Be aware of debris on the roadway caused by flooding both during the flood and after water has receded.
- If your car stalls, do not attempt to push it out; seek higher ground.
Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution when approaching stationary authorized emergency vehicles with their lights activated on the roadways. Authorized emergency vehicles include police, fire, EMS, and other emergency vehicles. It is the law to proceed with due caution, change lanes if possible, and reduce your speed. Move over and slow down. This law also includes motorists sitting on the side of the road with hazard lights flashing.
Motorists should monitor the road conditions before driving, and remember to keep emergency items inside the vehicle. A complete list of road closures can be found on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website at www.gettingaroundillinois.com or by calling 1-800-452-4368
Here's the hazardous weather outlook and the counties impacted:
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 213 PM CDT Fri Apr 28 2017 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-291000- Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton- White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope- Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Gibson-Pike-Posey-Vanderburgh- Warrick-Spencer-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard-McCracken-Graves- Livingston-Marshall-Calloway-Crittenden-Lyon-Trigg-Caldwell- Union KY-Webster-Hopkins-Christian-Henderson-Daviess-McLean- Muhlenberg-Todd-Perry MO-Bollinger-Cape Girardeau-Wayne MO-Carter- Ripley-Butler-Stoddard-Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid- 213 PM CDT Fri Apr 28 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, into the night time hours. Large hail, damaging winds, and tornados may occur with any storms that become severe. The Flash Flood Watch has been expanded to include southwest Indiana and adjacent northwest Kentucky counties along its immediate border. An additional 2 to 4 inches is possible across the entire region, with perhaps 3 to as much as 5 inches additional rainfall across the Watch area. Refer to the Watch for more details. DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday A Flash Flood Watch will remain in effect through Sunday evening for multiple rounds of thunderstorms containing very heavy rain. Please refer to the Watch product for additional details. Scattered severe thunderstorms will continue to be possible periodically through much of the weekend as well. Large hail and damaging wind gusts are expected to be the main severe weather hazards. Isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. There is a chance of thunderstorms again Wednesday. Any storms that develop are not expected to be severe at this time, but additional heavy rains could cause flooding issues, or impede recovery from any antecedent flooding, from prior rains. SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters should be ready for activation and stay alert for updates and requests through the weekend
Here's the material on the areas under a Flood Watch:
Flood Watch National Weather Service Paducah KY 1159 AM CDT Fri Apr 28 2017 ...MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND... ILZ075>078-080>094-KYZ001>005-MOZ076-086-087-100-107>112-114- 290900- /O.CON.KPAH.FF.A.0002.170429T0000Z-170501T0600Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton- White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope- Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard- McCracken-Perry MO-Bollinger-Cape Girardeau-Wayne MO-Carter- Ripley-Butler-Stoddard-Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid- Including the cities of Mount Vernon, Fairfield, Albion, Mount Carmel, Pinckneyville, West Frankfort, McLeansboro, Carmi, Carbondale, Murphysboro, Herrin, Harrisburg, Shawneetown, Jonesboro, Vienna, Golconda, Elizabethtown, Cairo, Mound City, Metropolis, Hickman, Clinton, Bardwell, Wickliffe, Paducah, Perryville, Marble Hill, Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Piedmont, Van Buren, Doniphan, Poplar Bluff, Bloomfield, Sikeston, Charleston, and New Madrid 1159 AM CDT Fri Apr 28 2017 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT... The Flash Flood Watch continues for * Portions of southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri, including the following areas, in southern Illinois, Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry IL, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne IL, White, and Williamson. In western Kentucky, Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Hickman, and McCracken. In southeast Missouri, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Mississippi, New Madrid, Perry MO, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne MO. * From 7 PM CDT this evening through late Sunday night * The Flood Watch remains in in effect for all of southeast Missouri and southern Illinois, and also includes the bordering western Kentucky counties. Numerous thunderstorms with very heavy rain are expected to develop later this afternoon and continue tonight. Some areas may see a break in the precipitation Saturday into Saturday night, but will then see more thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall move in from the west late Saturday night and through the day Sunday. From 3 to 6 inches of rain could fall in the watch area by the time the entire event is finished Sunday night. Locally higher amounts are also possible where numerous thunderstorms repeat. * In addition to the possibility of flash flooding of some roadways and streams, the heavy rainfall is expected to cause rises on many of the area rivers, particularly the smaller rivers in southeast Missouri, such as the Saint Francis, Black, and Current. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Infrared at 7 p.m.
And here's the material regarding the Flood Warning, meaning imminent floods:
FLOOD WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN 1247 PM EDT FRI APR 28 2017 ...The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a Flood Warning for portions of the following rivers in central and southern Indiana... East Fork White River...White River...Tippecanoe River...Wabash River...Wildcat Creek...Eel River...Sugar Creek... .Extensive flooding will develop along rivers and streams in central and southern Indiana during the first week of May. Flooding will affect numerous local and state roads...considerable agricultural land and some residential areas. Flooding will begin possibly as early as Saturday evening and continue for 10 days or more in southwest Indiana. Rainfall of 2 to over 3 inches is expected from Friday evening through Monday morning. The most rainfall is expected along the Indiana-Illinois state line and the least along the Indiana-Ohio state line. Significant flooding will develop across much of western Indiana and bordering eastern Illinois. Near major flooding is possible in some areas. Flood crests may be the highest experienced since April 2013 in portions of west central Indiana and the highest since December 2015 and early January 2016 in other areas. Significant river flooding impacts numerous local and state roads ... extensive agricultural lands and some residential areas. Persons in flood prone areas should monitor weather and river conditions through at least Monday. Precautionary/Preparedness Actions... Motorists should never drive into flood water. Turn around and go another way. Keep children away from flooded areas. Recreational and agricultural interests should remain alert to changing river conditions. For detailed flood information go to weather.gov/ind on the web and click on rivers and lakes.
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a * Flood Warning for the Wabash River at Mount Carmel. * from late Monday night until further notice. * At 10:45 AM Friday the stage was 7.6 feet. * Flood stage is 19.0 feet. * Moderate flooding is forecast. * Forecast...Rise above flood stage by early Tuesday morning and continue to rise to near 27.6 feet by early Monday morning. additional rises are possible thereafter. * At 27.5 feet...In the City of Mt. Carmel, all local roads flooded east of the levee except for South Division.
Please use caution this weekend, readers! We need each and every one of you around.
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