Minor flood warning along Mississippi River in effect for southwestern Illinois
Minor flooding is expected in the region along the Mississippi River, and it may affect travel, according to the National Weather Service St. Louis office.
Meteorologist Gary Schmocker, with the St. Louis office, said the flooding is forecast in Grafton, Alton and Chester.
“It’s flooding, but it’s actually not that unusual on the Mississippi this time of year,” he said.
The river is expected to crest near 21.8 feet by early Saturday afternoon in Grafton. Flood stage there is 18 feet.
At Melvin Price Lock and Dam in Alton, where the flood stage is 21 feet, the Mississippi River is expected to crest near 25.9 feet by early Monday afternoon.
“Highway 94 and the east end of Harbor Point Road off of Highway 94 north of West Alton begins flooding within a foot or so of this height (25 feet),” the National Weather Service St. Louis office stated in a flood warning issued Friday. “Also, the access road to the Lincoln Shields area off Highway 67 just west of the Clark bridge begins flooding.”
In Chester, the flood stage is higher, at 27 feet. The river is forecast to crest near 34.6 feet by early Tuesday afternoon there.
Water Street in Chester begins flooding when the river reaches 33.5 feet.
