A BNSF train sits in flood waters from the Platte River, in Plattsmouth, Neb., Sunday, March 17, 2019. Hundreds of people remained out of their homes in Nebraska, but rivers there were starting to recede.Throughout the upper Midwest – South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, parts of Minnesota, and beyond have experienced challenging weather conditions in the last week. From rain, snow, wind and more, these areas have faced the brunt of the winter.
Currently, many states are reeling from massive flooding. Rivers that were once frozen are rapidly melting thanks to a combination of warmer temperatures and heavy rains. For example, in Plattsmouth, Neb., the Missouri River crested at 40.62 feet, nearly four feet higher than the previous record. In South Dakota, the Vermillion River is out of its banks.
This region is also experiencing localized flooding caused by rapidly melting snow. Across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska,at the end of February averaged between two to four feet. At those levels, snowmelt cannot seep into the ground and stays on the surface, thereby causing localized flooding in basements, across roadways, and more.
While affected communities are working to keep residents safe, businesses up and running and roadways passable, others downstream need to be preparing for the water to move their way. Floods bring a variety of issues including rapidly rising waters; risks of electrocution; possible gas explosions; and threats of pests, water and mold damage.
The short-term forecast calls for relatively quiet conditions through the central US with a light wave of rain moving across the central and lower Mississippi river valley on Wednesday. Temperatures will continue to trend milder each day through this weekend which will increase the rate of melting over the Dakotas to upper Michigan.