Flood warnings continue this week for Big Muddy, Mississippi, Ohio rivers

Flood warnings are in effect this week for the Mississippi, Big Muddy and Ohio rivers.

Union County is bordered by both the Mississippi and Big Muddy rivers.

The National Weather Service office in Paducah reported Monday night that an initial flood wave had passed on the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau.

Water levels were falling, with minor flooding temporarily expected to end by Tuesday evening.

A secondary rise was in the forecast for later this week. 

River levels are expected to rise into minor flooding by Friday, and continuing into the weekend.

At 8:30 p.m. Monday, the Mississippi River’s stage at Cape Girardeau was 32.4 feet. Flood stage is 32.0 feet. Minor flooding was occurring. Minor flooding was in the forecast.

The river is expected to continue rising to near 32.5 feet by Saturday morning.

The Ohio River at Cairo is forecast to go into major flooding early next week.

Flooding continues this week on the Big Muddy River near Murphysboro.

Runoff from recent additional heavy rainfall was expected to cause river water levels to rise.

Moderate flooding is expected at Murphysboro, with a crest near 30.5 feet in the forecast for Thursday evening, today.

At 7 p.m. Monday, the Big Muddy River’s stage was at 15.5 feet. Flood stage is 22.0 feet.

The river was expected to rise above flood stage by Monday night. The river is forecast to continue to rise to near 30.5 feet by Thursday evening, today.