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Motorists are advised to use caution for the next couple of days, especially
on country roads, as excessive rainfall
over frozen ground has led to full ditches and rising creeks. Roads
north, west and south of Lincoln have been reported as already or
soon to flood.
Dan Fulscher of Logan County Emergency
Management Agency emphasized the importance of avoiding getting into
a hazardous situation, "If water is across the road, do
not even consider going across it. This water is
the coldest of cold water at around 30 degrees; if you are in it,
hypothermia sets in immediately. Even in 2 feet of water, if you
would get out and walk and fall, it could take your life."
Country roads bordered by full ditches were
developing scattered slick spots this morning. "This is a very
hazardous," he said. Black ice could form due to rapidly decreasing
temperatures, high winds and blowing snow.
Mill Street in Lawndale is already under water,
with West and Main streets soon to be flooded.
Near Lake Fork, 1400th Street is under
water, and other roads are expected to flood in the Lake Fork area. Just
a couple of months ago a man lost his life near there due to a
flooded roadway.
Flooding is expected to the west of Lincoln
near New Holland, San Jose, Hartsburg and Emden as Sugar Creek comes
out of its banks.
While the forecast indicates that only
one-tenth
of an inch of additional precipitation is expected, runoff is still
in process. All three major creeks -- Kickapoo, Sugar and Salt
-- plus
Lake Fork and Deer creeks are out of their banks and reached flood
stage and expected to continue to rise 12 to 18 more inches by noon
on Saturday.
Additionally, Clinton Lake is nearing its
maximum capacity. A second surge of rising water levels will occur
in Logan County when authorities open Clinton Lake's floodgates. This will cause Salt Creek levels to rise.
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The reading at Rowell in DeWitt County at 10 a.m. on Friday had Salt Creek at 19 feet. Local authorities use Rowell's
measurement to predict flooding in Logan County. At 19 feet, 6
inches Lake Fork floods; at 20 feet, 6 inches Lincoln Lakes
floods; and at 21 feet roads to Lincoln Lakes are closed.
Precipitation in the form of rain will
contribute significantly as water runs off over ground frozen 3-5
inches deep. If precipitation would freeze, this will help
prevent some flooding but would contribute to creating slick
roadways.
Fulscher said that this past year has seen the
most use of the rescue boat. In a year it has gone out on 12 calls,
with six rescues made and one fatality.
EMA has its new boat ready and dive teams are
on standby.
South of Springfield, a water release from
Spaulding Dam is also being planned. Areas downriver of Sugar
Creek will be affected.
[LDN staff]
See National Weather Service for current
conditions and warnings:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/ |
