USA – Rising Rivers Prompt Louisiana to Declare State of Emergency

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency in several parishes across the state as a result of severe weather and flooding.

Louisiana joins the states of Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri and Michigan in declaring an emergency in response to a wave of flooding areas across central and southern USA that has left 6 people dead.

The Louisiana emergency declaration is for Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bossier, Caddo, Grant, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides Parishes as concerns grow regarding river flooding.

The Calcasieu River near Glenmora is at 15.95 feet but is expected to rise to over 18 feet (major flood stage) over the coming days.

As of 27 February the Red River at Grand Ecore stood at 34.28 feet and was expected to rise to over 39 feet later this week.

Red River at Grand Ecore Louisiana. Image: NWS / NOAA

“We typically see these types of river issues develop during this time of year,” said Gov. Edwards.

“Recent heavy rains in Louisiana and other parts of the country with rivers that impact Louisiana has increased the urgency to prepare for this emergency. Many parishes in north Louisiana are taking action now. We urge the public to do the same if you live or work in an area where river flooding is a concern. Heavy rain and possible severe weather are possible again this week.”

The rising water is due to the flooding of the Red River Valley. Residents are encouraged to monitor information and resources provided by GOHSEP, local emergency managers, the National Weather Service (NWS) and local media to track possible flooding or severe weather.

Residents are urged to avoid flooded roadways and not remove or drive around flood barricades.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry advises farmers to start taking the necessary precautions now to protect their livestock and equipment.

Flood Summary

Last updated: February 27, 2018
Event
Midwest and Southern USA, Southern Canada, February 2018
Date
February 16, 2018
Type
Flash flood, River flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall, Long-term rainfall, Snow melt

Locations

A - Pomeroy, OH (United States)
B - Jefferson, OH (United States)
C - Belmont, OH (United States)
D - Cincinnati (United States)
E - Point Pleasant, WV (United States)
F - Marseilles (United States)
G - Peotone (United States)
H - Fairplain (United States)
I - Croton Township (United States)
J - Lansing (United States)
K - Elkhart (United States)
L - Goshen (United States)
M - South Bend (United States)
N - Janesville (United States)
O - Rockwall (United States)
P - White Rock Creek (United States)
Q - Stilwell (United States)
R - Sodus Township (United States)
S - Orangeville (Canada)
T - Brantford (Canada)
U - Niles (United States)
V - Chatham-Kent (Canada)
W - Kalamazoo (United States)
X - Union County, Kentucky (United States)
Y - Simpson County, Kentucky (United States)
Z - Camden, Arkansas (United States)
- Watseka, IL, USA (United States)
- Grand Ecore, Louisiana (United States)

Magnitude

River level
15.85 metres
Ohio River at Cincinnati - February 18 to February 18, 2018
River level
15.36 metres
Ohio River at Pomeroy, Ohio - February 19 to February 19, 2018
River level
14.478 metres
Ohio River, Point Pleasant, WV, - February 19 to February 19, 2018
River level
5.25 metres
Thames river at Chatham-Kent, Ontario - February 25 to February 25, 2018
River level
12.46 metres
Ouachita River at Camden, Arkansas - February 26 to February 26, 2018
- 40.9 feet – 60.3 feet (moderate flood stage) – 9.7 feet – 26.8 feet – 50.49 feet
River level
18.38 metres
Ohio River, Cincinnati - February 26 to February 26, 2018
River level
2.95 metres
St Josephs River, South Bend, Indiana - February 26 to February 26, 2018
River level
8.17 metres
St Josephs River, Elkhart, Indiana - February 26 to February 26, 2018
River level
15.38 metres
Ohio River at Cannelton Lock and Dam, Kentucky / Indiana - February 26 to February 26, 2018
Rainfall level
60.7 mm in 24 hours
Meridian, Mississippi - February 25 to February 26, 2018
Rainfall level
63.5 mm in 24 hours
Jackson, Mississippi - February 25 to February 26, 2018
Rainfall level
61.2 mm in 24 hours
Cincinnati, Ohio - February 24 to February 25, 2018
Rainfall level
77.2 mm in 24 hours
Louisville, Kentucky - February 24 to February 25, 2018
Rainfall level
80.8 mm in 24 hours
Evansville, Indiana - February 24 to February 25, 2018
Rainfall level
57 mm in 24 hours
Lansing/Capital City, Michigan, USA - February 20 to February 21, 2018
Rainfall level
64 mm in 24 hours
Grand Rapids/Kent Co Michigan, USA - February 20 to February 21, 2018
Rainfall level
69.6 mm in 24 hours
South Bend/St.Joseph Co., Indiana, USA - February 20 to February 21, 2018
Rainfall level
54 mm in 24 hours
Chicago/O'Hare, Illinois, USA - February 20 to February 21, 2018
Rainfall level
64.6 mm in 24 hours
Lurgan Beach, Ontario, Canada - February 20 to February 21, 2018
Rainfall level
76.0 mm in 24 hours
Lucknow, Ontario, Canada - February 20 to February 21, 2018
Rainfall level
73.1 mm in 24 hours
Flesherton, Ontario, Canada - February 20 to February 21, 2018
River level
7.25 metres
Illinois River at Morris, Illinois, USA - February 21 to February 21, 2018
River level
3.50 metres
Muskegon River at Croton Dam, USA - February 21 to February 21, 2018
River level
4.28 metres
Grand River at Lansing, Indiana, USA - February 21 to February 21, 2018
River level
8.65 metres
St Joseph River at Elkhart, Indiana, USA - February 22 to February 22, 2018
River level
3.80 metres
Elkhart River at Goshen, Indiana, USA - February 21 to February 21, 2018
River level
5.14 metres
St. Joseph River, Niles, Indiana, USA - February 21 to February 21, 2018
River level
5.27 metres
Sugar River at Albany, Wisconsin - February 21 to February 21, 2018
River level
4.86 metres
Calcasieu River near Glenmora, Louisiana - February 27 to February 27, 2018
River level
10.45 metres
Red River at Grand Ecore, Louisiana - February 27 to February 27, 2018

Damages

Rescued
6 people
Ohio - February 16 to February 20, 2018
Fatalities
6 people
USA - February 19 to February 26, 2018
Missing people
1 person
Ontario, Canada - February 19 to February 23, 2018
Evacuated
400 people
USA - February 19 to February 23, 2018
Estimated figure - no official overall figures are available for the USA