Tracking increasing flooding potential through Easter weekend
Much of Mid-Missouri is currently underneath an aerial flood watch that's going to be in effect for portions of Boone County extending off to the southeast, mimicking I-70 as a dividing line.
As we look into this upcoming weekend, we're going to see a dramatic shift in weather conditions. Saturday and Sunday will be seeing the most impactful rainfall.
By the end of Sunday, this rain pushes back out of the region, but by Monday we are still going to be looking at impacts from this event as it's going to take a while for this water to come back down and settle back to normal levels.
Futuretrack rainfall totals put Columbia close to about 2.5 inches. Areas to the South could be anywhere from 3-4" inches of additional rainfall by the end of Sunday.
The Weather Prediction Center currently has portions of central Missouri in a moderate level for areas along Jefferson City and off to the southeast that will be including much of the Lake of the Ozarks region.
It's important to know the differences in flash flood watches and warnings. Flash flood watch conditions are going to be favorable for flooding. You need to be prepared, especially if you're going to be out on the roadways. An actual warning means it's happening right now, you need to take shelter on higher ground. Remember, "Turn around, don't drown" if you see water over the roadway.
It doesn't take too much water to sweep you or your car away. 6" alone, a person can be swept away. 12" can sweep a car or SUV and 18" of water, large vehicles can be swept away. It's important to adhere to any road closed signs in flood prone areas to remain safe.
