Record Rain Floods the Mississippi

The rain isn’t falling now, but it doesn’t matter.  Parts of the central and lower Mississippi River basin continue to flood.

An unusually wet October has the Mississippi’s tributaries running bankfull.

Some spots have has more than 400 percent of normal rainfall for the month of October.  St. Louis recorded their wettest October on record, with 12.38 inches of rain.  Monroe, La., received an amazing 20.54 inches of rain during the month.  An average October usually brings a little less than 4 inches of rainfall.

No major damage has been reported, but folks are getting worried.

In downtown St. Louis, the Mississippi River has covered Sullivan Blvd. by the Arch.  Floodwall gates have been closed.  The President Casino on the Admiral riverboat has closed temporarily because of high water. 

Then in Memphis, Tn., many West Tennessee farmers are in a race with rising water to harvest their crops. 

Grain buyers say the wet fall has caused mold damage to soybeans and sapped the crop’s oil content, lowering its value.  The moisture content of much of the corn is high, meaning the crop must be dried before being stored.

But there is good news ahead…and it’s in the form of better weather.  The first week of November promises sunny days and clear, cool nights.