Flooding in Nebraska, July 1 to 31, 2010

Heavy rain over much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during most of June caused a prolonged period of flooding along the Missouri River, especially downstream of Omaha through Rulo. The river near Nebraska City climbed above flood stage early in the afternoon on June 11th and remained above flood stage for most of July and into August. The flooding was aided by additional rains in July and increased releases from upstream reservoirs. The river at Nebraska City crested around or a little over 25 feet during the afternoon of June 16th and June 21st and started July out a little under 22 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. Industrial roads near the river were flooded along with some cabins, boat ramps and recreation areas.

Heavy rain over much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during most of June caused a prolonged period of flooding along the Missouri River, especially downstream of Omaha through Rulo. The river near Brownville climbed above flood stage during the afternoon on June 11th and remained above flood stage through July and into August aided by additional rain and increased releases from upstream reservoirs. The river at Brownville crested close to 43 feet during the evening of June 23rd, flood stage is 32 feet. During July the river crested a little under 39 feet for the first several days of the month. Besides considerable flooding of lowlands along the river, several roads were flooded including one that lead to the Cooper Nuclear power plant. Recreation areas also sustained flood damage.

Heavy rain over much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during most of June caused a prolonged period of flooding along the Missouri River, especially downstream of Omaha through Rulo. The river remained above flood stage through July and into August, with the high water aided by additional rains and increased releases from upstream reservoirs. The river at Rulo reached a record around 26.6 feet during the evening of 6/24, flood stage is 17 feet. A July crest of just under 23 feet late on the 5th was observed. Highway 159 near Rulo was closed for a time and substantial flooding of lowlands along the river occurred including cabins and recreation areas. At least 20 homes along the river were evacuated in June when flooding forced 30 to 40 people to find other shelter.

Persistent and heavy rains during June and July combined with increased releases from Gavin's Point Dam and caused the Missouri River to approach its 29 foot flood stage several times in July (although there was a period from the 7th through the 24th when the river dropped below 25 feet or so). The high water flooded some parks in the flood plain including N.P. Dodge park causing its closure. The high water continued into August and eventually prompted the closure of N.P. Dodge Park for the season and causing 20,000 dollars in lost revenue for the city of Omaha.

This flooding carried over from June when heavy rain over much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during that month caused a prolonged period of flooding along the Missouri River, especially downstream of Omaha through Rulo. Although the river at Plattsmouth dropped below flood stage on July 8th, it remained high all of July climbing back above flood stage in the middle of the month and again several times late in the month into August. The flood damage was increased near the confluence of the Platte River early in July where high water from the Missouri caused the Platte River to back up even though the Platte had fallen below flood stage. High waters along the Platte flooded a park south of Bellevue forcing its closure. Other parks and a few roads were closed in Sarpy county along the Missouri River and houses that were between a levee and the river were also flooded or had access to them flooded. In Plattsmouth, just south of Sarpy county, the Missouri River crested a little over 33 feet in the late afternoon of June 22nd, flood stage is 26 feet. A July crest of around 29.5 feet was observed on the first.

This flooding carried over from June when heavy rain over much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during that month and also in July caused a prolonged period of flooding along the Missouri River, especially downstream of Omaha through Rulo. Although the river at Plattsmouth dropped below flood stage on July 8th, it remained high all of July climbing back above flood stage in the middle of the month and again several times late in the month into August. The flood damage was increased near the confluence of the Platte River early in the month where flood waters from the Platte added to the flow. In Plattsmouth the Missouri River crested a little over 33 feet in the late afternoon of June 22nd, flood stage is 26 feet. The July crest was about 29.5 feet on the first. Some roads on the east end of Plattsmouth were closed due to flood waters which also submerged the land around a waste-water treatment plant which prompted sandbagging. A recreation area in the region was also partially submerged in flood waters.