Meteorologist Samantha Davies

Flooding continues for the hard hit area of Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Western Kentucky. Residents in this area along the Ohio and Mississippi River are still experiencing rising water levels. Most rivers in this area are still receiving drainage waters from flooded creeks and streams. As the water levels continue to rise the rivers will contribute to backwater flooding of smaller tributaries and waterways.

In Missouri: The Mississippi River at New Madrid is experiencing moderate flooding and major flooding is expected. Monday afternoon the water was at 40.6 feet and is forecasted to rise to 42.0 feet by Wednesday morning, and then begin to fall.

In Illinois: The Ohio River at Cairo will also continue to rise as major flooding is underway. As of Monday afternoon the flood stage was at 53.5 ft, on Tuesday the river will crest at 54.0 feet and then begin falling.

The weather forecast for this area will remain dry on Tuesday. The second half of the week will be unsettled with daily rain chances. On Wednesday, a warm front will trigger thunderstorms with locally heavy rain. Friday as a developing weather system passes through the region, more storms can be expected. As the cold front associated with this system passes there is a slight risk for severe weather. The locally heavy rain with these weather disturbances will have an impact on the ongoing flooding.