News

Crop loss not anticipated as Missouri River flooding continues

A climatologist says he doesn’t expect significant crop loss despite the recent heavy rains.

Brian Fuchs with the National Drought Mitigation Center says there has been some flooding along the Missouri River corridor.

“It will be interesting to see if the flows on the river are at a point where we’re not seeing that big surge like we have in past flood events,” he says. “Hopefully that does lessen those sand deposits.”

He tells Brownfield the already saturated areas could see additional challenges.

“It really depends on how fast those rains come as well,” he says. An inch and a half of rain in about 30 to 40 minutes is never going to do anyone any good, regardless of how wet or dry it is. The rain rates are going to be really important going forward.”

Fuchs says an additional two inches of rainfall is possible through the holiday weekend in the eastern part of the state.

Flood warnings continue along the Missouri River from Omaha to Kansas City.

The National Weather Service says several other rivers and streams in east-central Nebraska will continue to run high.

AUDIO: Brian Fuchs, National Drought Mitigation Center