Heavy rainfall can cause flooding in Missouri.
Many areas in Missouri are at high risk for flooding. This is because the state is covered by bodies of water that can flood without warning. Areas along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and their tributaries are at the highest risk because they receive flood waters from other parts of the country. The National Weather Service keeps an eye on river levels and issues alerts when flooding is expected.
Causes of Floods
Floods are most common in spring along bodies of water such as ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers. Early in spring, the ground may still be frozen from the winter. Melting snow cannot seep into the ground, which can cause flooding. Floods also can be caused by prolonged rainfall. Another common cause of flooding is a forest fire. Charred ground is incapable of absorbing rainfall.
Missouri Flood Stages
The National Weather Service has developed a system of five color-coded levels on its online maps to warn the public of floods. There are 4,876 sites, or gauges, where water level is measured, mostly along rivers. Gauges not experiencing flooding are indicated in green. The second level is yellow. Gauges at this level are at the "Near Flood Stage." Next is the "Minor Flooding" stage. This is the first stage that is considered flooding. These gauges are colored orange. The fourth level is the "Moderate Flooding" stage. Those gauges are marked in red. The final, and most severe flood stage, is the "Major Flooding" stage. The gauges in this stage are purple.
Flood Stages and Damage
Flooding is extremely costly to a homeowner. It is essential to own flood insurance in areas highly susceptible to flooding. Some people might think just a few inches of water in a home is a cheap fix. However, in a 1,000 square-foot house, just 6 inches of water can cause over $20,000 in damage. Severe flooding is not necessarily caused by a high flood stage. Costly flooding can be local.
Flood Preparation
Those living in areas along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries should be on guard throughout the year. It is wise for families to have a flood evacuation plan. Floods can happen instantly and require only small amounts of rain. The National Weather Service regularly issues a river forecast for the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys. Of course, these are just forecasts. People should evacuate whenever flooding occurs, despite what the forecast says.
Tags: cause flooding, Flood Stages, Flooding stage, National Weather, National Weather Service
