Thunderstorms create flooding; Motorists should 'Turn around, don't drown'

SIKESTON — Thunderstorms dropped between 2 and 4 inches of rain, causing flash flooding throughout the region early Thursday with additional rain possible.

The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, issued a flash flood warning until 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3 for Scott County, northeastern Stoddard County and southern Bollinger County, the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky. Some locations experiencing flash flooding include Sikeston, Advance, Oran, Miner, Benton, Morehouse, Morley, Bell City, Haywood City, Vanduser, Blodgett, Diehlstadt, Zalma and Lambert, the Weather Service said.

At 8:46 a.m. Thursday, emergency management reported flooded roads in central and western Scott County due to heavy rain. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring. Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

Water stands in a yard along Highway H south of Blodgett early Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. (Susan Freed/Standard Democrat)

Water stands in a yard along Highway H south of Blodgett early Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. (Susan Freed/Standard Democrat)

The Weather Service reminds motorists to “Turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads as most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Sgt. Tyler Rowe, public information officer with Sikeston Department of Public Safety, said “Turn around, don’t drawn” is the biggest tip for motorists to remember in these conditions.

“Flooding can occur on any street at any time when rainfall like we are having occurs,” Rowe said early Thursday. “One should take their time and treat driving in these flooded conditions like inclement or hazardous roads in the winter. If a street looks flooded or is flooded, find an alternative route.”

A street is flooded early Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Sikeston. (Susan Freed/Standard Democrat)

A street is flooded early Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Sikeston. (Susan Freed/Standard Democrat)

The Weather Service said motorists should report observed flooding to local emergency services or law

enforcement and request they pass this information to the Weather Service.

A flood watch continues until 1 p.m. Thursday for the entire region. The area of greatest concern for heavy rainfall and flash flooding is over southeast Missouri where training of storms is likely, the Weather Service said. Widespread showers and storms with heavy rainfall will continue through the morning. The potential for flash flooding has increased due to the expected training of multiple storms over the same areas.

The intersection of Scott and Trotter Streets is surrounded by water early Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Sikeston. (Susan Freed/Standard Democrat)

The intersection of Scott and Trotter Streets is surrounded by water early Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Sikeston. (Susan Freed/Standard Democrat)

The chance of thunderstorms will return Thursday night, mainly over Southeast Missouri. Flooding issues cannot be ruled out. A chance of thunderstorms is forecast for all or a portion of the region Friday, Aug. 4 through Wednesday, Aug. 9. A few severe storms are possible Sunday afternoon and evening, Aug. 6 as a cold front moves through the region.