(Undated)– Flood warnings have been issued for most rivers in the region, despite the fact little or no snow is left on the ground locally.
Hydrologists with the National Weather Service say the recent warm temperatures have expedited the melting of a deep snow cover that still exists in areas upstream in southwest Minnesota. They say all that water will come down area rivers, pushing them out of their banks in upcoming days.
The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for the Little Sioux River from west of Milford downstream through the Spencer and Linn Grove areas. In Spencer, the Little Sioux is forecast to crest Friday (3/18) about a foot and-a-half over flood stage.
A flood warning has also been issued for the West Fork of the Des Moines River from Jackson, Minnesota downstream through the Estherville area. The river is expected to crest at nearly two and-a-half feet over flood stage in Jackson…or around 14.4 feet…sometime Sunday. Flood stage in Jackson is 12 feet. In Estherville, the river is predicted to crest at 11.9 feet early this coming Tuesday, March 22nd. Flood stage in Estherville is seven feet. Moderate flooding is expected there.
Rain is in the forecast Saturday night through early next week, and officials say that could worsen flooding.
