Heavy rain inundates roads across Mid-Missouri

Some roadways in the area were temporarily closed or rendered impassable on Monday morning and afternoon after several inches of rain fell in a few short hours.

Rain gauges report that nearly 2 inches of rain fell in Columbia through the early afternoon, while the Lake of the Ozarks area saw a reported 2.65 inches near Macks Creek, and 3.37 inches in Versailles. These reports were made in the mid-afternoon, and more rain is expected through the evening.

The inundation led National Weather Service offices in Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis to issue flood alerts for most of the area through Monday evening. Flood Watches and Advisories are issued when conditions are ripe for flooding, and Flood Warnings are issued when flooding is ongoing or observed.

The Weather Prediction Center also issues excessive rainfall outlooks to highlight areas with high probabilities of flash flooding. Much of the area, especially in western Missouri, is under a moderate risk of flash flooding on Monday, which equals about a 40% probability of flooding. While this might sound low, it's almost a coin flip chance to experience a flood.

This newest round of flooding comes as Mid-MO has seen above-average rainfall in recent months. April was twice as wet as normal, and the entire area is currently free of drought.

The worst flooding will be along low water crossings and small creeks and streams, and floods often linger hours or days after rain has fallen. The Petite-Saline Creek near Boonville is forecast to reach moderate flood stage at around 20 feet by Tuesday night, a full day after the rain stops.

Larger waterways will also rise with additional strain from rain north of the area. The Missouri River at Jefferson City is forecast to reach minor flood stages on Tuesday night, rising to nearly 25 feet at its peak by Friday.

Another round of storms is expected late Monday night through Tuesday morning, adding a half inch to already soggy ground. A brief break from rain is then expected midweek, but the Memorial Day weekend may turn wetter again.