Black River rise expected to hit 18 feet by Saturday afternoon

NWS graphic

First responders and community leaders learned a projected 20-foot crest on the Black River has been lowered after updated reports from the National Weather Service and Clearwater Dam.

Keith Berry, assistant field director for the Poplar Bluff Severe Weather Response Team, told attendees the forecasted crest is now 18 feet, which is in the minor flooding stage.

“They have lowered the flood level that they’re expecting on Black River from 20 feet to 18 feet. The Current River’s still showing about 15 feet as far as their crest. The biggest thing that we’re looking at right now is pretty heavy rain, maybe some severe weather coming in around 5:30, 6 o’clock,” Berry said.

Up to 2 inches of rain was expected to fall, and the total amount for the system was predicted at 3 inches.

The Black River was predicted to crest around 1 p.m. Saturday. Berry warned despite the lowered flood potential, residents should expect water to pool and pond on roadways, and should be aware of flash flooding.

“Make sure you have ways to be notified by of impending severe weather, and also: turn around, don’t drown,” said Butler County Emergency Management Agency Director Robbie Myers. “That’s always where we lose people. It’s not the water coming into their house and drowning in them. It’s the people thinking they can go through standing water.”

The new river crest is likely due to Clearwater Dam reducing its flow when the water began to rise on Friday, Myers and Berry explained.

“At 11 (a.m.) (Friday), they were at 495 feet, now (2 p.m. Friday) they’re at 497.2. At 11 they hadn’t started any shut-back, but at 12:30 (p.m.) they did an inch and a half, at 1:30 they did an inch and an eighth... It’s trickling now,” said Myers.

Poplar Bluff Street Department Director Jerry Lawson said half of the levy along the viaduct was erected when the first reports came in, but added, “Honestly, I don’t see it making 18. If Clearwater’s choked back, I just don’t see it.”

As for the storms themselves, Berry noted, “We’re going to be on the northern edge of what they’re forecasting, but there’s possibility you could see winds and hail, maybe even a spin-up.”