(Undated)– Flood warnings remain in effect for most of the region as warm temperatures and a melting snow pack to the north of us combine with rain from over the weekend to push area rivers out of their banks.
The updated forecast for the West Fork of the Des Moines River at Estherville is now calling for a crest of around 10.7 feet Friday evening. Flood stage is seven feet. Moderate flooding is expected in the Estherville area downstream through Emmetsburg and Algona.
Upstream at Jackson, the West Fork of the Des Moines River was measured at 11.9 feet this (Mon.) morning. Flood stage is 12 feet. The National Weather Service says the river will rise above flood stage in Jackson this (Mon.) afternoon and will crest near 14.5 feet Wednesday.
Flooding also continues along the Little Sioux River, where flood warnings are also in effect.
The Little Sioux west of Milford reached a crest of 15.1 feet over the weekend…a little more than three feet over flood stage. It had dropped to 14.4 feet as of 7:00 a.m. this (Mon.) morning.
In Spencer the Little Sioux was measured at 12.2 feet late this (Mon.) and was beginning to drop. Flood stage in Spencer is 10 feet.
Thunderstorms with the possibility of locally heavy rain are in the forecast late tonight (Mon.) with more of a general rain expected tomorrow (Tues.) and tomorrow (Tues.) night.
Officials with the National Weather Service say any heavy rain that falls over the next few days will adversely affect river levels and that they say that will have an impact on the flooding forecasts.
