NOAA, Corps of Engineers monitor minor flooding forecast for Ohio River valley

Heavy rains between Nashville and St. Louis this morning are setting the stage for minor to moderate flooding next week on local rivers and lakes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's regional river forecast calls for 3 to 5 inches of rain to fall in the lower Ohio River valley through early Sunday.

With the ground already saturated, most of the rain will run off into rivers and streams, increasing water levels
across the region.

At Paducah, the Ohio River at 4 a.m. Saturday was rising at 36.0 feet. It's forecast to rise to 40.5 feet by Wednesday. Minor flooding at Paducah occurs at 39 feet. The city of Paducah does not install flood gates until the river is forecast to reach 49 feet.

At Cairo, the Ohio River was rising at 37.1 feet. It's expected to rise to 42.5 feet by Thursday morning. Minor flood stage at Cairo occurs at 40 feet.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is monitoring an expected three to five inches of rainfall across the Cumberland River Basin this weekend.

The heaviest rain is forecasted to fall in areas downstream of Nashville, particularly in the Cheatham Lake and Lake Barkley watersheds.

They say the Cumberland River at Nashville is expected to peak at 34.9 feet early Monday, below minor flood stage of 40 feet.

The Cumberland River at Clarksville is forecast to reach 48.7 feet Sunday night. Minor flood stage at Clarksville is 46 feet.