Heavy rains in other states are expected to cause flooding along the Missouri River

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mid-Missouri should prepare for possible flooding along the Missouri River.

The Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association warned Wednesday that flooding is expected to move downstream from the upper Midwest to Hermann, Missouri.

This comes as Gov. Mike Parson signed an executive order Wednesday extending a state of emergency for potential flooding along the Missouri River over the next few days.

"We have seen the tremendous, destructive force of flooding this past week in neighboring states to our north and must ensure resources are available should flooding threaten areas of our state," Parson said in a press release.

The National Weather Service said tributaries in South Dakota and Iowa that feed into the Missouri River are at major flooding levels after heavy rainfall. A levee in Iowa also broke on Tuesday, causing evacuations and flash floods.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds have also signed emergency declarations regarding flooding.

"They had quite a bit of major flooding, record flooding in some areas, on the tributaries that flow into the Missouri River," said National Weather Service hydrologist Scott Watson. "Now, that water is getting into the Missouri River and a lot of spots are either in moderate flood or are forecast to go into moderate flood category."

Data from the National Weather Service shows moderate flooding is first predicted to hit Missouri in St. Joseph on July 2.

As the water makes its way downstream, moderate flooding is also expected in Glasgow on July 4, minor flooding in Boonville on July 5 and action-stage flooding in Hermann on July 6.

Action-stage flooding is when a river reaches the top of its banks or slightly floods, but no real impacts are expected.

While flooding in central Missouri will not be as severe as what is happening in other states, Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association Chairman Tom Waters said people still need to be aware.

"Below Kansas City, the river is going to be big, it will be in more of a minor flood stage," Waters said. "It's still out of its banks and still going to be at the base and up on some levees, but not near as severe as what we'll see in northwest Missouri," Waters said.

Flood levels could change depending on how much rain hits the area over the next week. But, Watson said nothing severe is expected as the flooding is expected to lessen as it gets to central Missouri.

"As you go further downstream, the Missouri River can hold more water," Watson said. "And when you're not adding a bunch more water in our local area, then you're not going to have as great of a flood wave."

He said areas that could see flooding are mainly agricultural areas and farmland. Watson said anyone with equipment in a flood area should be aware of the potential for floods and move their equipment.

Missouri Department of Conservation Regional Resource Management Supervisor John George said some areas in Cole County could see significant flooding, including Marion Bottoms and Church Farm Conservation Areas and Big Muddy Refuge.

Watson said if central Missouri doesn't get a lot of rain, the high water levels should fall away pretty quickly after they come through the area.

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team is tracking the chance for showers and thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Wednesday it has closed Gavins Point Spillway in South Dakota. The spillway was initially opened on June 23 to restrict water entering the Missouri River, but now, all water is going through the powerhouse, which Waters said is a good sign things are getting back to normal.

He said while some levees in Omaha, Nebraska, are still under repair after large floods in 2019, all levees along the river south of Kansas City have been repaired and are ready to work as needed.

"They're holding back that flood water and providing necessary and important protections for people's livelihoods, their lives, their homes and communities," Waters said.

The Emergency Operations Center in Kansas City has technical teams working along the river, along with flood-fighting teams in Holt County. It has 3.7 million sandbags placed throughout the area, according to the Missouri Levee Association.