As the citizens of Memphis enjoy today's sunny skies with the mercury pushing towards a comfortable 81 degrees Fahrenheit, the National Weather Service has already cast a shadow on the seemingly perfect day with a lingering flood warning. According to the latest updates from the National Weather Service Memphis station, there is an ongoing flood threat posed by the Mississippi River at Memphis affecting Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi with major flooding forecasted.
The agency has put forth a series of precautionary and preparedness actions, recommending that people avoid walking near riverbanks and certainly not to attempt to drive around barricades or through flooded areas. In a bid to drastically reduce the flood-related risks, the latest National Weather Service update, published Today, remains firm that the Flood Warning is in effect until Thursday, April 24.
Current river stage readings reflect minor flooding, with the river's water levels recently clocking in at 36.6 feet as of 10:00 PM CDT Sunday, just slightly above the flood stage of 34.0 feet. Impacts of this degree of flooding include submersion of the grain terminal and businesses to the south of West Memphis and issues at a fuel facility south of the Memphis river gauge. "At 37.0 feet, In Arkansas, the grain terminal and nearby businesses south of West Memphis are being covered by water," the flood statement warned, pointing towards disruptions in local commerce, as stated by the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service suggests that the Mississippi River will continue to quickly rise, peaking at an anticipated crest of 36.8 feet on Tuesday evening before it's expected to fall below flood stage on Wednesday, April 23. This suggests some relief is on the horizon for the surrounding communities, but only after what is bound to be a few more days of vigilance and potential challenges.
The weather in Memphis is looking better, with sunny days and mild nights expected through Thursday. But by Friday night, clouds will return, bringing a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a 30% chance of rain over the weekend, as per the National Weather Service.
