Storms renew flood concerns

Thunderstorms to roll in Friday

[June 26, 2008]  STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- AccuWeather.com reports that severe storms erupting through Friday will renew flooding concerns in the mid-Mississippi Valley while sparking another tornado outbreak on the Plains.

According to the AccuWeather.com Severe Weather Center, waves of energy are riding the jet stream draped across the northern Plains and the Midwest. The potent storms will feed on the abundant warm, moist air flowing north out of the Gulf of Mexico, with daytime heating adding instability to the atmosphere.

Over the Midwest, the strongest storms will produce heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding, along with large hail and damaging winds. In addition to the flooding rain, there will be an increased potential for tornadoes across the region.

On Wednesday, the first of the new wave of storm systems caused minor damage across the Midwest after pummeling northern Missouri with heavy rain earlier in the day. Rain totals over the 24-hour period ending at 1 a.m. CDT Thursday include:

• Ottumwa, Iowa: 3.33 inches

• Columbus, Ohio: 3.03 inches

• Fairfield, Iowa: 2.56 inches

• Fort Madison, Iowa: 1.77 inches

• Des Moines, Iowa: 1.75 inches

The periods of heavy rain through Friday will exacerbate flooding on the Mississippi River. Runoff from the storms Wednesday has raised the forecast for the crest at St. Louis, which is expected to be reached by Sunday afternoon, to 38.7 feet. Major flooding begins at 40.0 feet.

By Friday, the storm system will shift slowly to the East.

John Kocet, senior meteorologist, says the storm will persist over the Mississippi Valley. "Storms that form over the northern Plains tend to move southeastward, toward the hotter air that covers the Midwest," he said. "In this case, that could result in heavy downpours over the Mississippi Valley, which obviously is not good news."

[Text from file received from AccuWeather.com]