A number of cities along the Mississippi River across the Midwest are facing major flooding events as of Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service’s river monitoring service.
Officials told NBC News that Davenport, Iowa, a city of around 100,000, installed barriers to prevent flooding. Some areas near the riverfront were closed due to high water on Tuesday, officials said.
Aerial photos posted by the Crawford County Emergency Management in Wisconsin show a significant portion of St. Feriole Island is currently underwater due to Mississippi flooding. Local meteorologist Jeff Makowski told Wisconsin Public Radio that the river is forecast to reach just over 16 feet in La Crosse, or the third-highest level in recorded history.
On Tuesday, the Iowa Department of Transportation said there were road closures near the river, while some roads next to the waterway are expected to flood later this week. The state’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management urged residents to keep an eye out for updates and should prepare to evacuate if needed.
“Iowans who live along the Mississippi River are urged to prepare for possible flooding by having a plan to evacuate if necessary, packing an emergency kit with supplies for several days, staying informed about flood forecasts for their communities, and following information and guidance issued by local officials,” a notice from Reynolds’ office stated.
North of Iowa, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation confirmed Tuesday that multiple highways were closed in northwest and southwest Wisconsin due to river flooding. Local media reports noted that some areas along the Mississippi River could see the highest water levels in 20 years.A reason for the excess flooding is due to recent winter storms that produced heavy snow across the Midwest, officials said. When ice melts in the spring, that resulting water flows into the area’s waterways, which then ultimately heads to the Mississippi River.