The National Weather Service is warning of a rain and flooding event of “historic” proportions in much of Missouri through Monday morning.
This graphic from the National Weather Service shows predicted rainfall totals through Monday afternoon, including a swatch that could see up to 10 inches in that time from southwest of St. Louis to south-central and southwest Missouri.
Senior Meteorologist Thomas Spriggs says rainfall totals by then could reach as great as 10 inches in a band from southwest of St. Louis through south-central and southwest Missouri.
“Probably the worst part about this is this is rainfall that even in the summertime would be a lot, but we’re talking about it in the wintertime where soil absorption capabilities are not nearly there like they are in the summertime,” said Spriggs. “The soils are already pretty saturated as it is, anyway, so you combine those two things and pretty most if not all of this rainfall is going to go immediately into runoff.”
The event could pose particular danger to holiday travelers who might be on roads they aren’t familiar with, and wouldn’t know whether those roads are prone to flooding. A flash flood watch is in effect in much of Missouri for this afternoon through Monday.
The National Weather Service is already warning of potential flooding on some streams and rivers due to rain predicted to fall in the next couple of days.
Spriggs says as for what could make this event “historic,” he says some rivers could be pushed to near record or record levels if the system plays out as predicted. Flood warnings have already been issued, including predictions of what the Weather Service calls “major” flooding on the Meramec River near St. Louis, the Dardenne Creek at St. Peters, and the Mississippi River including at Chester and Cape Girardeau, as well as at Cairo and Thebes, Illinois.
“If you live near a river or a stream, pay close attention the next couple of days and have a plan,” Spriggs recommends. “Even if you live in an area with poor drainage and every heavy rainfall you tend to have some basement issues, start thinking ahead now.”
Find Missouri road conditions with the Transportation Department’s Traveler Information Map, which is also available as an app on Apple or Android.
For information for your area, tune in to your Missourinet affiliate station and visit these Weather Service office websites.
In southwest Missouri:  Springfield and on Twitter @NWSSpringfield
In southeast Missouri:Â Â Paducah, KYÂ and on Twitter @NWSPaducah
In northwest and western Missouri:Â Â Kansas City (Pleasant Hill)Â and on Twitter @NWSKansasCity
In northeast and eastern Missouri:  St. Louis and on Twitter @NWSStLouis
Scotland and Clark counties:Â Â Davenport, IAÂ and on Twitter @NWSQuadCities
