The National Weather Service (NWS) in Memphis has issued a flood warning for areas along the Mississippi River, affecting residents in Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Missouri. Communities are bracing for what the NWS describes as “major flooding,” with waters continuing to rise and challenges multiplying for residents and businesses, per the National Weather Service.
The Memphis gauge recorded a stage of 37.2 feet as of Saturday evening, with minor flooding already taking place. Forecasters predict the Mississippi River at Memphis will not recede below flood stage until early Friday morning. Affected areas see inundation of the grain terminal south of West Memphis in Arkansas and the fuel facility south of the river gauge in Memphis. The National Weather Service warns, “Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas,” indicating that the inundation may compromise standard routes.
In addition to flooding, the NWS has provided a detailed forecast of volatile weather patterns. Starting with a 10 percent chance of showers today, the week ahead looks stormy with various chances of showers and thunderstorms peaking in probability Thursday through Saturday. New rainfall amounts could reach three-quarters to one inch, further complicating flood response efforts…