The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Flood Warning for the Little Wabash River at Carmi, Illinois, following recent heavy rainfall that has pushed river levels dangerously close to flood stage. Minor flooding is forecast for the area, with the river expected to crest above flood stage through the end of the week.
According to officials, the Little Wabash River at Carmi is projected to rise above its 27.0-foot flood stage late Monday evening, reaching a crest of 28.6 feet by Thursday morning. Floodwaters are expected to recede below flood stage late Saturday evening. At 27.0 feet, flooding on local county roads is anticipated. Current river stage readings from the US Geological Survey show several waterways nearing or exceeding flood stage:
Little Wabash east of Fairfield: 24.77 feet (flood stage 17 ft.)
Skillet Fork at Wayne City: 11.99 feet (flood stage 15 ft.)
Little Wabash below Clay City: 21.21 feet (flood stage 18 ft.)
Little Wabash at Main St. in Carmi: 25.38 feet (flood stage 27 ft.)
Wabash River at Mt. Carmel: 19.78 feet (flood stage 19 ft.)
Bonpas Creek at Browns: 15.58 feet
Ohio River at Old Shawneetown IL-KY State Line: 34.00 feet (flood stage 33 ft.)
Warm temperatures are expected to accompany the flooding threat, with highs climbing into the low 70s today (Monday) and potentially reaching 80 degrees in some southern locations by Tuesday. The period of unseasonably warm weather will give way to severe weather risks, with a more organized severe weather event anticipated late Tuesday night, primarily impacting northern and western parts of the region. Widespread severe weather is expected for the remainder of the area on Wednesday.
Meteorologists warn that heavy rainfall associated with this system could result in storm total precipitation amounts of one to one and a half inches, with localized higher amounts possible where storms train over the same areas. This could further heighten flood risks across the region.
After the severe weather system moves out Wednesday night, cooler and drier conditions are forecast to arrive, with high temperatures dropping to the 50s and low 60s and overnight lows dipping into the 30s and low 40s.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and monitor local updates as the mid-week system approaches and to take necessary precautions in flood-prone areas