Forecast calls for 'catastrophic' floods in central US: What's expected for Eastern Ohio?

21 hours ago 1

With meteorologists using words such as "generational," "historic," and "life-threatening," the forecast for heavy rain and flooding in the central U.S. over the next few days is looking dire.

"This isn’t routine," the National Weather Service in Memphis said. "This is a rare, high-impact, and potentially devastating event. Heavy rainfall will likely lead to widespread river, flash, and areal flooding."

The heaviest rain is likely in a swath from Arkansas to Ohio, where many areas should see more than a foot of rain by the time the storm ends on Sunday.

"Communities throughout the area should prepare now for the possibility of long duration and severe disruptions to daily life given the expected extreme rainfall and flood risk," the weather service said.

On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh office of the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for a portion of east central Ohio, including Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble and Tuscarawas counties. It is scheduled to remain in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday until Sunday morning.

"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations," according to the weather alert. "Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks."

Periodic waves of heavy rainfall are possible beginning Wednesday night, and continuing into the weekend, the weather service warned. The potential for flooding is expected to increase late in the week, with the greatest potential over the weekend.

Some areas could see 3-4 inches of rain through late Sunday, the National Weather Service's Pittsburgh office warned in a Facebook post.

Where is the heaviest rain expected?

The epicenter of the rain and floods should be in the mid-South.

By Thursday, "there is a 'high risk' for excessive rainfall for western Kentucky, the Missouri Bootheel, northwestern Tennessee, and extreme northeastern Arkansas where widespread, life-threatening flash flooding is expected," the weather service said.

Heavy rain expected in Kentucky

Some of the heaviest rain is also expected along the Ohio River between Kentucky and Illinois, where the weather service in Paducah, Kentucky, warned of "catastrophic" flooding:

"Forecast rainfall amounts may end up in historic ranges leading to significant and potentially catastrophic flash flooding across the area. By Saturday evening as much as 10 to 12 inches of rain is anticipated across parts of the region. Flooding in areas that do not normally flood is anticipated."

Which rivers are likely to flood?

The major rivers most likely to have significant water level rises include the Ohio, Wabash, White, St. Francis, Kentucky and Tennessee, according to AccuWeather.