Scientists Warn Of Severe Flooding In 25 States

Federal scientists have warned this week that 25 states are at the risk of “major or moderate” flooding in the next few weeks. The warning is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s spring outlook which mentions that almost two-thirds of the lower 48 states are at a higher risk of flooding until at least May this year.

The extensive flooding we’ve seen in the past two weeks will continue through May and become more dire and may be exacerbated in the coming weeks as the water flows downstream,” said Ed Clark, NOAA’s National Water Center director, in a statement.

The warning follows record-breaking floods already witnessed in some Midwestern states as they deal with end-of-winter floods which have been caused by rapid snow melt and early spring rain. The NOAA says that additional snow melt and rain is now expected to “prolong and expand flooding” in the southern and Midwest United States.

Clark added that this is looking like a potentially “unprecedented flood season,” pointing out that more than 200 million people are at risk for flooding in their communities. The NOAA has identified the upper, middle, and lower Mississippi River basins as areas with the highest risks of moderate to major flooding in addition to the Great Lakes, Red River of the North, eastern Missouri River, lower Ohio River, and the lower Cumberland and Tennessee River basins.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: General