Midwest towns Submerged

Mother Nature is not kind at times. But those people live there for the same reason we all live down here. It's Home.

My dad lives in central Illinois and last week they had 10" of rain. They're expecting more this week, which is when my son and I will be visiting. Taking the camera with in case we see some tornado action on the way up there. Will post if we get any good shots.

While I don't wish this on anyone (especially after what we all went through), I do hope that those who sat up there and watched what we went through, and thought "Why do they live there?", well, I hope they re-think their thoughts.
They love their homes and we love ours.
Mother Nature is not racist, or biased in any way.

I will donate and my prayers are with those enduring this horrific flooding.

Breach could flood 47 sq. miles.

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25238987

Storms Increase Flood Threat

Severe storms erupting through Friday will renew flooding concerns in the mid-Mississippi Valley, while sparking another tornado outbreak on the Plains and upper Midwest.

The Severe Weather Center reports waves of energy are riding the jet stream draped across the northern Plains and the Midwest. The potent storms will feed on the abundant warm, moist air flowing north out of the Gulf of Mexico, with daytime heating adding instability to the atmosphere.

According to the Midwest Regional News story, the strongest storms will produce heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding, along with large hail and damaging winds. In addition to the flooding rain, there will be an increased potential for tornadoes across the region.

Storm and flood related watches and warnings are in effect across the central Plains and the Midwest.

The strongest storms Thursday have been concentrated over eastern South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and northern Missouri. Wind gusts topping 60 mph have been reported, along with numerous reports of downed trees and power lines. Power was in Lake City, Iowa.

On Wednesday, the first of the new wave of storm systems caused minor damage across the Midwest after pummeling northern Missouri with heavy rain earlier in the day.

The periods of heavy rain through Friday will exacerbate flooding on the Mississippi River and its tributaties. Runoff from the storms Wednesday has raised the forecast crest at St. Louis, which is expected to be reached by Sunday afternoon, to 38.7 feet. Major flooding begins at 40.0 feet.

The heaviest rain on Wednesday fell to the west of the flood zones in the Midwest.

Rainfall amounts in Iowas over the 24-hour period ending Thursday at noon CDT include:
Arkeny: 4.61"
Ottumwa: 3.51"
Marengo: 3.00"
Fairfield: 2.88"
Des Moines: 2.86"

The rain is increasing water levels in many smaller waterways that had receded since the historic flooding earlier this month. The Chariton River near Prairie Hill, Iowa, Thursday rose to 23 feet, 8 feet above flood stage, and is expected to creast early on Friday.

There is major flooding reported along the Grand River near Chillicothe, Iowa, which surged from around 10 feet on Wednesday morning to nearly 35 feet by midday Thursday.

The Missouri Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) reports the heavy rain over northern Missouri on Wednesday created flash flooding in several counties and the runoff will affect water levels in the Missouri River for several days.

On Wednesday, MEMA reported the Missouri River at St Charles, Mo. was at 26.1 feet. The river level will fall before re-cresting near 28 feet Sunday afternoon.

The East Regional News story reports that by Friday, the storm system will shift slowly to the East. However, Expert Senior Meteorologist John Kocet says the storm will persist over the Mississippi Valley.

"Storms that form over the northern Plains tend to move southeastward, toward the hotter air that covers the Midwest. In this case, that could result in heavy downpours over the Mississippi Valley, which obviously is not good news."

Officials in Lincoln County, Mo., have been closely monitoring the Pin Oak levee, the last levee keeping the flood waters of the Mississippi out of the town of Winfield. Associated Press reports the earthen berm has been crumbling under its own waterlogged weight.

The slightest wake could create a major breach that would flood more than 100 homes and businesses and about 3 thousand acres of farm land. County officials have ordered a ban on boating along the river. The good news is the river is forecast to crest at 37.5 feet by 7 p.m. CDT this evening.