PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (NE) Extreme flooding update in Nebraska

Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2019 13:48:44 EDT

Summary: Regional flooding continues across Nebraska

This is the most wide-spread severe flooding in at least 50 years and is a regional event which started with a snowpack of 5-18 inches and a snow water equivalent of 1-3 inches on top of 2 feet of frozen soil. A rapid melt combined with an additional 2-3 inches of rain and subsequent blizzards have resulted in regional flooding affecting all basins in the state. High winds and sunshine today are promoting drying conditions.

Currently, there are 61 streamgages with readings above flood stage with at least 18 of those above major flood stage levels. At least nine long-term gages are exceeding period of record peaks. Road closures continue to make access nearly impossible. Several dams have breached and many communities evacuated including the National Weather Service Office in Valley Nebraska. A levee at the Cooper Nuclear Power Plant at Brownsville, Nebraska is being threatened. The concern is that it is the source of 45% of the power for Omaha.

At least nine sites are expected to exceed record stages and all will potentially require indirect measurements.

12 streamgages have been destroyed, but 6 of those have since been repaired. No plans to replace 3 of the gages that are stage only gages.

6 USGS measuring crews made over 15 additional high-flow measurements since yesterday and are expected to make a similar number today. Measurement progress is slowed due to unusable or wiped out roads and bridges.

One crew is working on emergency streamgage repairs.

USGS staff is coordinating with the National Weather Service, USACOE Omaha District, and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.