Carmi, Illinois

The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky has issued a

* Flood Warning for
the Little Wabash River at Carmi.
* From Friday afternoon until further notice.
* At 8:30 am Thursday the stage was 20.3 feet.
* Flood stage is 27.0 feet.
* Moderate flooding is forecast.
* Forecast... rise above flood stage by tomorrow afternoon and
continue to rise to near 33.6 feet by next Thursday morning.
Additional rises are possible thereafter.
* Impact... at 32.0 feet... flood waters flow up McHenry Slough and
areas near Route 1 and 14 in Carmi begin to flood.

913 am CST Thu Dec 24 2009

The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky has issued a

* Flood Warning for
The Skillet Fork river at Wayne City.
* From this evening to Sunday evening.
* At 8:00 am Thursday the stage was 7.9 feet.
* Flood stage is 15.0 feet.
* Moderate flooding is forecast.
* Forecast... rise above flood stage by tonight and continue to rise
to near 19.9 feet by early Saturday morning. The river will fall
below flood stage by Sunday afternoon.

1005 am EST Thu Dec 24 2009

The Flood Warning continues for
the Wabash River at Mount Carmel.
* From Monday morning until further notice.
* At 9:00 am Thursday the stage was 9.6 feet.
* Flood stage is 19.0 feet.
* Minor flooding is forecast.
* Forecast... rise above flood stage by late Monday morning and
continue to rise to near 20.4 feet by Thursday morning. Additional
rises are possible thereafter.
* At 20.0 feet... river is bankfull in all locations. All oil field
production ceases with the exception of pumping units on
substructures. Access to these are by boat only. Agricultural
losses increase dramatically. Farmers move livestock to higher
ground. City of Mount Carmel leaves flood gates b and c in year
round.

... Flood Watch remains in effect through this evening...

The Flood Watch continues for

* portions of southern Illinois and southeast Missouri...
including the following areas... in southern Illinois...
Alexander... Edwards... Franklin... Hamilton... Jackson...
Jefferson... Johnson... Perry IL... Pulaski... Saline... Union IL...
Wabash... Wayne IL... white and Williamson. In southeast
Missouri... Bollinger... Butler... Cape Girardeau... Carter...
Mississippi... New Madrid... Perry MO... Ripley... Scott...
Stoddard and Wayne MO.

* Through this evening

* radar shows additional rainfall of 1 inch or more could add to
already received totals of 1 to 2 inches and cause some flooding
today. Storm totals will be mainly in the 2 to 3 inch range
although isolated higher amounts are possible.

* Additional heavy rain will likely generate rises in small
creeks... streams... and ditches. These waterways could come out
of their banks... and result in flooding. Additional rains today
may result in standing water across area roads that are prone to
flooding... and other low lying areas.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on
current forecasts.

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible
flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be
prepared to take action should flooding develop.

... Wind Advisory now in effect until 6 PM CST Friday...

The Wind Advisory is now in effect until 6 PM CST Friday.

* A powerful storm system will lift northeast across Missouri
tonight through Friday. Winds picking up late Thursday will be
averaging 15 to 30 mph tonight and gusts to 45 mph will remain
possible through Friday.

* Generally southeast winds will turn to the south early
tonight... then southwest late tonight into early Friday. Wind
speeds enhancing this evening will continue their increase
through the night... with the best chance of gusts to 45 mph
mainly after midnight tonight and continuing into Friday.

* Damage to weak or rotting trees can be expected. Outdoor
Christmas displays may be blown about if they are not properly
secured. Difficult driving conditions are expected with winds
of this magnitude... especially for higher profile vehicles.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Wet grounds due to rains may allow smaller or loosely rooted
trees to uproot due to the high winds. Unsecured patio or outdoor
placements may be prone to damage from tumbling. Travel will be
difficult... especially for high profile vehicles. The combination
of wet roads and high winds means Holiday motorists should be
extra cautious and allow plenty of time to reach your
destination.