Nebraska braces for overflow from Colorado flooding
A week after torrential rains forced massive flooding across eastern Colorado, the huge volume of water is moving east -- literally rolling down the river toward Nebraska.
Even as Colorado continues to deal with the aftermath of its flooding disaster, the National Weather Service on Wednesday posted flood warnings for the South Platte River, the North Platte River and the main Platte River in at least three Nebraska counties, Deuel, Keith and Lincoln.
“The exact crest stages are still uncertain as the waters are just moving into Nebraska,” the National Weather Service said. “It is possible that upcoming forecasts could change, so those along the river should stay tuned for updated information.”
According to the Weather Service, Colorado’s flood waters were pouring through the South Platte River, which is expected to crest in Julesberg, Colo., sometime on Wednesday. The water will continue to rise quickly in Nebraska, where crests there are expected by Thursday evening in the town of Roscoe and by Saturday morning on the North Platte. The main stem of the Platte River system is expected to crest around Brady on Sunday.
The South Platte was cresting in Colorado’s Sedgwick County on Wednesday. The river rose to a record level of more than 10 feet near the Colorado-Nebraska border, and some flooding was reported near the Nebraska town of Big Springs.
The South Platte enters Nebraska near the northeastern corner of Colorado and runs parallel to Interstate 80. Eventually, the Platte empties into the Missouri River south of Omaha. The Missouri is expected to easily be able to cope with the added flood waters.
Meanwhile, in Colorado, the number of people unaccounted for or missing has dropped to about 300, from a high of 1,200 last Thursday, when the fiercest of the rains fell and dropped the equivalent of a year’s worth of moisture in just hours on the eastern portion of the state. Hundreds of people are still in the flood zone, but many continue to stay despite rescuers’ pleas.
Officials also lowered the confirmed death count to six from eight. However, two other people are still considered to be missing and presumed to have died.
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