Flooding continues in the region this morning following several inches of rainfall that has fallen this week. According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, radar estimates show between 4 and 10 inches of rain has fallen,especially in areas to the south and east of Wayne County. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Wayne, Jefferson and Perry counties in south-central Illinois until 11:30 a.m. Local law enforcement reported most creeks were out of their banks in Jefferson County, and between six and nine inches of rain had fallen. Several counties, including Wayne County, were under Flash Flood warnings overnight,and a Flood Watch remains in effect for the area through Sunday morning. Strong and severe thunderstorms moved through the area Friday night, with the area under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch, and numerous thunderstorms moving through the region overnight. More rain is expected today and tonight, with another couple of inches possible.
The excessive rainfall resulted in the Fairfield Rural Fire Department being called out on several water rescues overnight. They were urging people to not drive into water over roadways. Reports indicated Route 45 between Geff and Cisne was underwater and Route 142 in Hamilton County was underwater. Reports out of Salem, IL indicated some cars were floating on Main Street Friday night from floodwaters, and several roadways underwater.
As far as the area rivers, the Little Wabash east of Fairfield was at 24.75 feet as of this morning. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 21.35 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. A crest of 22.3 feet is predicted for Monday. At Carmi the river is at 27.16 feet, just above flood stage. A crest of 36.3 feet is expected this Friday, over nine feet above flood stage. The record stage at Carmi is 38.4 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 17.27 feet, above the 15-foot flood stage. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 18.29 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet, with a crest of 30.1 feet expected April 13th. The record level is 34 feet. Flood warnings are in effect along the Little Wabash and Wabash rivers.
After more rain today and Sunday, sunny skies are expected through midweek. More rain chances return by Wednesday afternoon. The extended forecasts indicate above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.
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