by Steve Dunford 

The Flood Warning for Franklin County has been extended until 5:45 this evening.   The warning text will be included in the bottom of this post. There are several road closures in the county still.  This has been posted on the website and the Facebook page.

Starting Tuesday night into the overnight hours on Friday Morning there are chances of rain.  During this period, it is forecast that we will receive an additional 1-3 inches of rainfall.  (see graphic above)

The water at Rend Lake is clearing the entire spillway, and not just the notch in the middle. (see graphic above)  The water will do this at 410 feet. There is also a Lake Wind advisory for all of Southern Illinois. (advisory text below)

I will provide an update on facility closures.  South Sandusky boat ramp is schedued to close sometime this evening.

 

The Big Muddy at Plumfield is set to crest today at 28 feet in the moderate flood stage range.  I spoke with Mary Lamm, Project Hydrologist at the National Weather Service in Paducah KY, and asked about the Big Muddy River and if the water released from Rend Lake will read on the automatic gauge there.

In our conversation she said that the gauge does compensate for it.  She said that Rend Lake will affect the recession of the water that far down stream, but not add to the rise of it.  River stage forecasts will include the additional rainfall projected starting tomorrow.

In some regional stages the Mississippi will crest in Chester at 43.5 feet on Thursday, which puts it in major flood stage.  Several media outlets are sharing concern that the bridge will be closed there.  There is only one lane open on the Missouri side. At Cape Girardeau  the river will crest at 48.5 feet one-tenth above the record.  It will also crest in Thebes on Saturday at 47 feet a few tenths below the record.  All points on the Ohio, including Cairo are in moderate flood stage.

Here are the warnings and statements issued by the National Weather Service in Paducah KY.

FLOOD WARNING 

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a * Flood Warning for… Perry County in south central Illinois… White County in southeastern Illinois… Wayne County in south central Illinois… Wabash County in southeastern Illinois… Jefferson County in south central Illinois… Edwards County in southeastern Illinois… Williamson County in southern Illinois… Saline County in southern Illinois… Jackson County in southern Illinois… Franklin County in south central Illinois… Hamilton County in south central Illinois… * Until 545 PM CDT Monday *

At 544 AM CDT, flooding continued in many areas. The threat for heavy rainfall is over. However, flooding along rivers, creeks and streams will continue, along with numerous water covered, flooded roads. There should be improvement in some areas. * Some locations that will experience flooding include… Carbondale, Marion, Mount Vernon, Herrin, Harrisburg, West Frankfort, Murphysboro, Mount Carmel, Benton, Du Quoin, Pinckneyville, Carterville, Carmi, Fairfield, Eldorado, Johnston City, McLeansboro, Christopher, Albion and Rend Lake Area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, country roads, farmland, and other low lying spots.

FLOOD WARNING FOR THE BIG MUDDY

…The flood warning continues for the following rivers in Illinois… Big Muddy River near Plumfield and Murphysboro .

The Big Muddy river at Plumfield is expected to crest this evening at 28.0 feet. It will start falling after that and should fall below flood stage on Saturday morning.

On the Big Muddy at Murphysboro… heavy rainfall…combined with backwater from the Misssissippi River… will continue to cause a rise this week. It will crest at 40 feet on Thursday…which puts us in the major flood category.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… SAFETY MESSAGE… Never drive cars…trucks or sport utility vehicles through flooded areas. The water may be too deep to allow safe passage. Never allow children to play in or near flood waters. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your local media for further statements and possible updated forecasts.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .

DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Following the weekend heavy rainfall, flooding continues in parts of our region, mainly southeast Missouri and southern Illinois. Major to record flooding exists on smaller rivers in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois. Please check the latest flood statements and warnings for details. Gusty southwest winds from 15 to 25 mph are expected today, with gusts up to 35 mph this afternoon. A Lake Wind Advisory is in effect for today.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Tuesday through Sunday River flooding will continue through next weekend. Some of the larger mainstream rivers such as the Mississippi River will rise throughout the week. Some of the smaller rivers will begin to recede Tuesday. Please check river flood statements. A chance of thunderstorms is forecast for all or a portion of the area Wednesday and Thursday. Lightning and locally heavy rainfall will be the primary concerns. Rainfall well over an inch from Wednesday through Thursday may aggravate existing flooding or lead to new flooding, especially over southern Illinois and southwest Indiana.

LAKE WIND ADVISORY 

.Strong gusty southwest winds are expected today. These winds will be associated with the low pressure system that brought heavy rain and flooding to our region over the weekend.

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Lake Wind Advisory, which is in effect from 7 AM this morning to 8 PM CDT this evening.

* TIMING…The strongest winds will occur from the late morning through the afternoon hours.

* WINDS…Southwest winds will increase to around 15 mph by mid- morning, then 20 to 25 mph for a few hours this afternoon. Gusts from 30 to 35 mph are likely this afternoon. Winds will decrease around sunset.

* IMPACTS…The strong gusty winds will pose a hazard to small boat operators on area lakes and rivers. Flood recovery efforts will also be negatively impacted, especially where boats are needed for checking flooded property.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Lake Wind Advisory indicates that winds will cause rough chop on area lakes. Small boats will be especially prone to capsizing.

 

 

 

This is the latest updated list of road closures from Franklin County Emergency Management Agency.  Franklin County EMA has set up the Flood Response and Resource Information Center.  The link to the website is http://www.franklincountyil.gov/flooding.

Below is the list of road closings in the county by FCEMA updated at 1:00 A.M., Monday, May 1st.

Reported Flooded /Closed Roadways

If you observe water over a roadway DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS. Report a flooded roadway by calling the Franklin County Communications Center at 618-438-4841. Remember, TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!

 

by Steve Dunford

The flash flood threat is over.  The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Flood Warning for all of Southern Illinois until 5:45 a.m. Monday Morning.

The difference between a Flash Flood Warning and a Flood Warning, a Flash Flood Warning is issued for an event that run off will be fairly quick.  A Flood Warning is issued when there is sustained water.  They are usually issued for rivers that are above flood stage.  Issuing one for a widespread area, is unprecedented.

I am going to show a couple graphics, and at the end include the warning text.  The first is the Big Muddy at Plumfield.

 

As you can see the Big Muddy has risen twelve feet over the last 48 hours.  It should crest in the night and slowly recede below flood stage toward the end of the week.   The NWS has severe flooding in the forecast for Murphysboro downstream, and possible record flooding might occur along the Mississippi at Cape.

I will keep a close eye on this for two reasons.  First Rend Lake is getting ready to release a lot of water.  Second there is 1-2 more inches of rain in the forecast from Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Here is a graphic for the headwaters at Rend Lake.

I spoke to a representative from  the Army Corps of Engineers on Friday and they said that at 410′ water will go over the entire spillway.  I will keep in contact with them for possible closure of facilities, and possible flooding on Rend City road.  If water will go over the auxiliary spillway, Rend Lake Dam road might close.

Here is the full text for the Flood Warning:

 

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a * Flood Warning for… Perry County in south central Illinois… White County in southeastern Illinois… Wayne County in south central Illinois… Wabash County in southeastern Illinois… Jefferson County in south central Illinois… Edwards County in southeastern Illinois… Williamson County in southern Illinois… Saline County in southern Illinois… Jackson County in southern Illinois…

FRANKLIN COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS. Hamilton County in south central Illinois… * Until 545 AM CDT Monday * At 538 PM CDT, flooding continued in many areas. The threat for heavy rainfall is over. However, flooding along rivers, creeks and streams will continue, along with numerous water covered, flooded roads. The dangers will increase tonight as the dangers of flooding become harder to recognize. * Some locations that will experience flooding include… Carbondale, Marion, Mount Vernon, Herrin, Harrisburg, West Frankfort, Murphysboro, Mount Carmel, Benton, Du Quoin, Pinckneyville, Carterville, Carmi, Fairfield, Eldorado, Johnston City, McLeansboro, Christopher, Albion and Rend Lake Area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, country roads, farmland, and other low lying spots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The National Weather Service in Paducah Kentucky is extending the Flash Flood Warning for Franklin and Several Surrounding counties until 5:45 P.M.  Here is the Warning text below.

/ BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED Flash Flood Warning National Weather Service Paducah KY 1225 PM CDT SUN APR 30 2017

The National Weather Service in Paducah has extended the * Flash Flood Warning for… Southern Perry County in south central Illinois… Union County in southern Illinois… Northern Johnson County in southern Illinois… Williamson County in southern Illinois… Saline County in southern Illinois… Jackson County in southern Illinois… North central Alexander County in southern Illinois… Franklin County in south central Illinois… Hamilton County in south central Illinois… East central Cape Girardeau County in southeastern Missouri… * Until 545 PM CDT *

At 1222 PM CDT, trained weather spotters reported upwards to 4 inches across portions of the warned area had already fallen. Spotters also reported creeks and streams still at or above bankfull in some locations, with numerous reports of flooded roadways still ongoing. Given continuing rainfall, and a threat of heavy rain still forecast, the flash flood warning has been extended through the remainder of the afternoon into the early evening hours. * Some locations that will experience flooding include… Carbondale, Marion, Herrin, Harrisburg, West Frankfort, Murphysboro, Benton, Du Quoin, Pinckneyville, Carterville, Anna, Eldorado, Johnston City, McLeansboro, Christopher, Jonesboro, Rend Lake Area, Sesser, Zeigler and Carrier Mills.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. &&

per Franklin County Emergency Management Agency

For any information about flooding situation in the county, Please visit FCEMA’s online resource center at the following link:  http://www.franklincountyil.gov/flooding

Here is a list of the road closures in the county Emergency Management has posted:

 

by Steve Dunford 

Here in Franklin County we will still be under a flash flood warning until 12:45 p.m. this afternoon.  That is likely to be extended.  We are supposed to get an additional 1″-3″ inches of rain on top of the 10+ inches we have received already.

As of now here are the road closures that I have:

• Route 37 Between Benton and West Frankfort
• Route 37 South of West Frankfort is now OPEN
• Logan Road
• Deering Road
• Baseline Road has several washout places in addition to over the road.
• Peach Orchard Road
• There is water on Park Street Road and Yellowbanks Road but it is still open
• Country Club road has opened up
• The city streets in West Frankfort are in better shape than yesterday.  There is still flooding in the NW flood plain, but not as severe.

Any of the rural township roads that are over especially if it is a bridge, please do not attempt to cross as the bridge or the road could be washed out.

There is a slight risk for severe weather today for all of Southern Illinois for hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.

The Big Muddy is experiencing moderate flooding.  The river is still supposed to crest on Tuesday below 28 feet, eight feet above flood stage.  The pool at Rend Lake is just under 409.  At 410 is when flooding begins.

Please pass along any additional information that you might have.  There will be updates throughout the day, especially on the franklincounty-news.com Facebook page.