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* Ted Cox at One Illinois…
As the nation struggles to get a handle on the new coronavirus pandemic, it threatens to complicate another familiar, almost annual public scourge: spring flooding.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its spring flood projections last week, declaring 23 states at risk of moderate to severe flooding, including Illinois. The NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecast “above-average temperatures across the country this spring, as well as above-average precipitation in the central and eastern United States.”
The federal agency went into detail, explaining that “ongoing rainfall, highly saturated soil and an enhanced likelihood for above-normal precipitation this spring contribute to the increased chances for flooding across the central and southeastern United States. A risk of minor flooding exists across one-third of the country. […]
But at major risk of flooding is the northwest corner of the state, which saw extensive flooding last spring, as in Savanna, where they fought for weeks to keep the Mississippi from filling the town.
The idea of all-hands-on-deck sandbagging is all but unthinkable in the midst of the current COVID-19 outbreak, with its demands for social distancing to stem the spread of the disease, but towns and cities along the Mississippi might have to find ways to adapt.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 25, 20 @ 12:28 pm
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At this point, IEMA should just play it safe and prepare a statewide locust contingency.
Better safe than sorry.
Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Mar 25, 20 @ 12:31 pm
Not just flooding, but severe weather in general. Here in central Illinois the weathercasts (especially WAND-17) are already hinting at a severe outbreak possible on Saturday.
And I should also add that 42 years ago today (1978), Central Illinois was in the midst of a catastrophic ice storm, Easter weekend 1978 (with some places not having power restored for weeks, including in the Springfield area). Unfathomable to think if there was a repeat of that ice storm, or even the 2006 Springfield tornadoes (Mar. 12, 2006) or the 18-inch snow dump on Springfield (Mar. 24, 2013), this March while fighting COVID-19.
Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Mar 25, 20 @ 12:34 pm
Jeez, we are kinda doomed no matter what. Good thing there is no nearby meteor.. wait, whut?https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/03/world/asteroid-1998-or2-close-flyby-earth-scn-trnd/index.html
Comment by Touré's Latte Wednesday, Mar 25, 20 @ 12:36 pm
Unfortunately global warning isn’t sheltering in place. Not only Illinois, Florida is in dire straits. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-08-29/miami-s-other-water-problem
Comment by All This Wednesday, Mar 25, 20 @ 12:42 pm
We are one natural disaster from having some real fun …
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Mar 25, 20 @ 12:48 pm
== even the 2006 Springfield tornadoes (Mar. 12, 2006) ==
We got hit by the tornadoes; didn’t have power for weeks. Lots of people out working in close contact; no way around it.
If that or something similar were to happen now, the best you could do would be to organize small teams to work together, and keep the same pairings every day. May not be the most efficient work-wise, but it would help maintain the needed social isolation.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Mar 25, 20 @ 12:56 pm
April 11, 1965 was the Palm Sunday Tornados creating the Fujita Standard and repurposed air raid sirens
Comment by BobCL Wednesday, Mar 25, 20 @ 12:59 pm
We’ve known about the risk for “much above normal” flooding on the Upper Mississippi since February. But the latest flood outlook is not as dire. “Instead of a 90% chance of major flooding, it’s now 60%. Normally, it’s 22%.”
https://www.wvik.org/post/major-flood-chances-are-high-not-high-2-weeks-ago
Other places along the Mississippi are preparing to fight on two fronts, flooding and COVID-19.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/river-towns-gearing-up-for-flood-season-as-pandemic-looms-11584696602?shareToken=stab07078b40014515b7c77c833a94312a
Comment by Michelle Wednesday, Mar 25, 20 @ 1:12 pm
National Hurricane Center is predicting a higher than average Atlantic hurricane season.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Mar 25, 20 @ 1:51 pm
Oh lord. The pandemic halted work on our house. We have a huge gaping hole in our roof with a half-built dormer.
Fun fact — Soccermom was IN the Palm Sunday tornado. Saved my family by dawdling in the coffee shop bathroom. If we hadn’t waited that extra five minutes, we would have been smushed.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Mar 25, 20 @ 2:29 pm