Ohio Valley – Rivers remain elevated across portions of the Ohio Valley Tuesday after two days of widespread rainfall, with moderate and minor flooding continuing in parts of Indiana and Illinois.
According to the National Weather Service Ohio River Forecast Center, most of the Ohio River basin received rain during the 48-hour period ending Tuesday morning, Aug. 18. Rainfall ranged from little or none in some locations to approximately 4 inches in the hardest-hit areas.
The heaviest totals were concentrated primarily in West Virginia, with smaller areas of Ohio and Indiana also receiving significant rainfall.
Despite the widespread rain, forecasters said the heaviest precipitation largely missed areas already experiencing the most significant river flooding.
As of midday Tuesday, moderate and minor flooding was still occurring at several river locations in Indiana and Illinois. Additional waterways throughout the Ohio River basin were at “action stage,” indicating elevated water levels that warrant continued monitoring.
The Ohio River Forecast Center’s precipitation analysis showed an average of about 0.70 inches across the basin during the 48-hour period, though localized totals were substantially higher.
The basin covers a large portion of the eastern United States, including areas of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Residents near swollen rivers and streams should continue monitoring local forecasts and river statements, particularly in locations where water levels remain elevated.
Drivers should also avoid flooded roads. Water depth and road conditions can be difficult to determine, and currents can make flooded crossings dangerous even when the water appears shallow.
River conditions can change as runoff from recent rainfall continues moving downstream.
