14 Missouri Communities Keeping an Eye on River Levels

If you've lived in Missouri long enough, you no doubt have experienced a major flood. There are more than a dozen communities in the state right now that are keeping an eye on river levels due to recent heavy rain and forecasts of more to come.

If you look at the National Weather Service in St. Louis map of severe weather, you'll see a red hatched area that covers most of Missouri showing where flash flooding is possible right now.

Infographic, NWS St. Louis, Missouri

Some parts of the state could see up to 6 inches of rain just today alone. That's why the following 14 communities in Missouri traditionally keep a close eye on what the rivers and streams near them are doing.

The first major Missouri flood I remember was the great flood of 1973. My mother worked at a savings and loan in downtown Hannibal and their building was overtaken by flood waters that were as high as three feet up the walls. They were closed for weeks until the water subsided. I returned back to Missouri as the great flood of 1993 was happening and I remember travel routes were a constantly changing challenge depending on what roads were closed. I also remember the flood of 2008 coming very close to overwhelming the levees. That's just part of growing up and/or living in Missouri. Every now and then you know the Mississippi and Missouri River will alter your life. Let's hope the next major flooding event isn't soon.