Summary of March 18-19 flood event

Record-breaking rainfall on March 18-19 caused major flooding in southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, and southwest Indiana. View a summary of the event, including a rainfall map and flood photos.

Persistent flooding occurred in the Wabash River basin, on the lower Ohio River, and on the Mississippi River south of Cairo. Major flooding occurred on the lower Ohio River from Cairo to Grand Chain.

Summary of event: Widespread major flooding occurred over southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, and southwest Indiana March 18-20. Flooding was more localized and not as severe in western KY. Record flooding occurred on the Black River at Poplar Bluff, MO. Coast Guard helicopters participated in airlifting 37 people and six dogs to safety in flooded portions of Butler County. Levee breaks were reported along the Black River, and U.S. Highway 60 was closed for a short time. Numerous homes were inundated in and around Poplar Bluff. Three fatalities were confirmed in southern Illinois and southeast Missouri as a result of people driving through flooded areas.

Rainfall Map

...UNOFFICIAL 2-DAY RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS BEGINNING MIDNIGHT
TUESDAY, MARCH 18 THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING MARCH 19. PLEASE NOTE
THAT SOME OF THE REPORTS LISTED BELOW WERE RECEIVED MID MORNING
WEDNESDAY...AND ADDITIONAL RAINFALL MAY BE REPORTED THURSDAY
MORNING...

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

CAPE GIRARDEAU.......13.05
CAPE GIRARDEAU ASOS..12.52
JACKSON 2.3WNW.......11.18
JACKSON 1.1NE........12.08
MARBLE HILL..........12.50
NEELYVILLE...........12.55
PERRYVILLE 1.1NE..... 6.30
WAPPAPELLO........... 9.13

WESTERN KENTUCKY

HANSON............... 2.75
HENDERSON 0.4SSW..... 5.72
MONKEYS EYEBROW...... 6.00
NORTONVILLE.......... 1.82
OWENSBORO APT........ 2.03
PADUCAH ASOS......... 4.40
PEMBROKE............. 2.50
STURGIS 5.4ENE....... 5.11

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

ANNA 3.1NNE..........11.64
BUSH 2ESE............ 7.15
CARBONDALE 0.8NNE.... 8.05
CARBONDALE ASOS...... 6.61
CISNE 4E............. 5.65
DONGOLOA.............10.50
DU QUOIN.............10.50
GALATIA..............11.50
HARRISBURG........... 7.66
HURST 0.2SSE......... 6.55
MOUNT CARMEL......... 7.53
RIDGWAY 3.8NE........ 7.95
THOMPSONVILLE 2S..... 9.60
WEST SALEM 3W........ 6.25

SOUTHWEST INDIANA

BOONVILLE 2.4N....... 6.80
DARMSTADT 4.4SSW..... 8.70
EVANSVILLE 5.9WNW.... 7.38
EVANSVILLE ASOS...... 7.70
FORT BRANCH.......... 7.30
NEWBURGH 2.4NW....... 6.20
OWENSVILLE 0.1SW..... 6.34
PETERSBURG 1.4ENE.... 4.83
WADESVILLE........... 9.29

Flooding Butler County