An extraordinary flood took place on the Mississippi River in June, resulting from two major rainfall events in Wisconsin and Iowa. The Wisconsin flooding resulted from two separate events, totaling more than 10 inches of rain over most of the southern third of the state. This resulted in record flooding for more than half of the forecast points across southeastern Wisconsin. In Iowa, two separate rain events generated record flooding at a dozen forecast points along the Cedar, Iowa, Wapsipinicon, and Mississippi Rivers. As the floodwaters moved south, the Mississippi River produced near-record flooding from Quincy, IL to Winfield, MO (across the river from Calhoun County, IL) with major flooding also reported at Grafton, IL and Chester, IL. The high backwater on adjacent tributaries resulted in significant flooding along the Illinois River and Kaskaskia River. Many roads across the flooded areas had to be closed for a couple of weeks. Several bridges across the Mississippi River were also affected. The older bridge across the Mississippi at Quincy, IL had to be closed as the flood water covered Highway 24 on the Missouri side. The Highway 54 bridge at Louisiana was closed due to flooding on the Illinois side. The bridge at Chester, IL on Highway 51 was kept open due to sandbagging efforts on the Missouri side in Perry County. Initial damage estimates for public assistance (which includes debris removal, roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings, etc.) by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency was around $27 million.

Flood in MADISON, ILLINOIS
From 04-JUN-08 02:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLIFTON TERRACE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Mississippi River at Alton, IL crested at 33.08 feet on 6/30/2008. This is the seventh highest crest ever recorded. There was some flooding of a few downtown businesses in Alton, and Highway 100 had to be closed, otherwise damage was minimal.

Flood in MONROE, ILLINOIS
From 04-JUN-08 07:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIXBY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Mississippi River flooded much of June into early July along Monroe County, IL. There was no damage reported as all levees held.

Flood in CALHOUN, ILLINOIS
From 03-JUN-08 14:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELLEVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Mississippi and Illinois River flooded causing problems in Calhoun County. On the Mississippi River at Clarksville, MO, the river crested at 36.70 feet on 6/24/2008. This is the third highest crest ever recorded. At Winfield, MO, the river crested at 37.08 feet on 6/27/2008. This is the second highest crest ever recorded. The town most affected by the Mississippi River was Hamburg, IL. The Illinois River at Hardin crested at 35.84 feet on 6/28/2008. This is the fifth highest crest ever recorded. Highways 96 and 100 north of Hardin were flooded. Most of the damage along the Illinois River was to agricultural lowlands.

Flood in RANDOLPH, ILLINOIS
From 04-JUN-08 08:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: DANLEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 6.30K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Mississippi River at Chester, IL crested at 39.46 feet on 7/01/2008. This is the tenth highest crest ever recorded. Damage was restricted to agricultural areas along the river. A few roads along the river had to be closed. Agricultural losses were estimated at $6.3 million.

Flood in JERSEY, ILLINOIS
From 04-JUN-08 02:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: NUTWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Mississippi River at Grafton crested at 30.80 feet on 6/29/2008. This is the fourth highest crest ever recorded. Highway 100 flooded in Grafton, and several homes and businesses along the river also flooded. Just north of Grafton, Highway 100 had to be closed for several days due to a mud slide caused by the heavy rain which occurred during the month. The Illinois River also flooded but damage was minimal as only lowland agricultural areas were affected.

Flood in PIKE, ILLINOIS
From 03-JUN-08 09:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST HANNIBAL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 18.00M
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Mississippi River crested at Hannibal, MO at 39.54 feet on 6/18/2008. This is the second highest crest ever recorded. At Saverton, MO, the river crested at 39.97 feet on 6/18/2008. This is also the second highest level ever recorded. At Louisiana, MO, the river crested at 26.96 feet. This is the third highest level ever recorded. Considering the high river levels, the county fared pretty well. No towns suffered significant damage as the primary levee in the county, The Sny, held firm. There was some seepage of water under the levee system causing many of the drainage ditches to overflow and flood fields. Agricultural damage was estimated at $18 million.

Flood in ST. CLAIR, ILLINOIS
From 04-JUN-08 07:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: VENICE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Mississippi River at St. Louis, MO crested at 38.67 feet on 7/1/2008. This flood crest falls short of the top ten historic crests. There was no damage as all levees along St. Clair County held.

Flood in ADAMS, ILLINOIS
From 04-JUN-08 03:30:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: MEYER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 23.80K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Mississippi River at Quincy crested at 30.80 feet on 6/18/2008. This is the second highest crest ever recorded. A major levee break just north of Meyer likely kept the crest from reaching a record. Several homes and businesses in the Meyer area were flooded. The Quincy, IL riverfront area was flooded closing one restaurant affecting some other businesses. Agricultural losses were estimated at $23.8 million.