We’re keeping an eye on area river levels as rain continues to fall throughout the region. The Little Wabash at Carmi is nearing 25 feet as of noon on Friday and is forecast to rise dramatically over the weekend. Overnight, the river is expected to reach a depth of nearly 33 feet by 7am. Moderate flooding is expected at 32 feet. It doesn’t stop there though. Steady rain should allow the river to usurp its banks to the tune of 35.5 feet by Wednesday. Flood stage is 27 feet so we’re expecting some major flooding. The record here is 38.44 feet set back in 1961. More recently, we reached 38.34 feet in 2011.
The Wabash at Mt. Carmel will also go well over banks there. Flood stage is 19 feet and the river should rise above that stage by 7am Saturday morning. Current forecasts are calling for the Wabash at Mt. Carmel to crest at 29.6 feet.
The Skillet Fork near Wayne City is expected to rise from 13.8 feet to 16.3 feet and outside it’s parameters of 15 feet within a 6 hour time frame between 1am Saturday and 7am. The current forecasted crest is 20.5 feet.
The Little Wabash at New Harmony won’t approach its record of 27.7 feet set in 1913, but it will swell to about 21.2 feet by next Sunday, April 13th. Flood stage is 15 feet. It’s expected to creep beyond the banks there by 1pm Saturday (tomorrow, April 5th). At 21 feet, the river becomes 3 miles wide along the intersection with I-64.
The Shawneetown area is subject to major flooding issues when the Ohio there gets above 53 feet. Flood stage is 33 feet. The river will outgrow its earthen capabilities overnight and reach 33.9 feet by 7am Saturday. The current forecast calls for a crest of 52.9 feet on Sunday, April 13th.
Several other creeks and waterways will leap beyond their bounds and officials are reminding and urging drivers to remain alert and avoid driving through flood waters.
