Thanks to heavy rain and melting snow over the last several days, rivers are overflowing their banks and causing widespread flooding throughout parts of the Great Plains and Midwest. Several states—including Nebraska—have been hard hit. In addition to Nebraska, governors of the states of South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin have declared a State of Emergency.
The imagery coming out of this region has shown extensive flooding to homes, businesses, and farmland. Here’s a look at some of the footage WeatherNation has gathered from the region:
Evacuations are underway for communities in far eastern Nebraska as the historic river flooding continues.
"This is probably the most widespread flooding damage we've had in the last half century" – Nebraska Governor @PeteRickettsNE on the ongoing flooding across the state #NEflood #NEwx #flood pic.twitter.com/ERY4bA8B0a
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) March 15, 2019
River flooding and ice jams have lead to major to moderate flooding in areas surrounding the Loup, Platte, Elkhorn, Niobrara, and Missouri Rivers to name a few.
Some of the river levels will reach, or have already reached, record high levels.
Take a look at the river gauges for the Missouri River at Plattsmouth, NE and the Elkhorn River at Waterloo, NE. Both rivers will reach remain in major flood stage with historic high levels on Sunday.
On Friday morning, the National Weather Service in Omaha issued a Flash Flood Warning for parts of Dodge, Douglas, and Saunders County in east central Nebraska as a levee on the Union Dike has failed. Many other levees could fail in the coming days.
**BREAKING** Flash Flood Emergency in the Valley area near Omaha, NE, where a levee on the Union Dike has failed and flash flooding is imminent in surrounding areas. Seek higher ground NOW! #newx pic.twitter.com/gWKbI19s2u
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) March 15, 2019
This has prompted Flash Flood Warnings issued by the NWS Omaha. In fact, the NWS Omaha office had to be evacuated due to the flooding.
Flash Flood Warning including Fremont NE, Inglewood NE until 9:00 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/tjefVjOnPp
— NWS Omaha (@NWSOmaha) March 16, 2019
The local Red Cross has set up several emergency shelters for those impacted by flooding and who have been displaced from their homes.
UPDATED SHELTER LOCATIONS – March 14th – 9:00PM
Anyone who has been displaced from their home is urged to come to a shelter. Volunteers are on hand to provide a safe place to stay, a place to sleep, a hot meal and referrals to community services. pic.twitter.com/yb3SbO2iC5— Nebr. / SW Iowa Red Cross (@neiaredcross) March 15, 2019
POWERFUL, RISING WATERS – Watch this time lapse closely from Wednesday in St. Edward, NE, as within just over two hours water from Beaver Creek inundates the downtown area. pic.twitter.com/C29APd7gOT
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) March 15, 2019
Stay with WeatherNation for the latest updates on river levels as well as any watches/warnings that are issued for the area.