A series of strong storm systems in February and March combined to raise the Ohio River above flood stage for an extended period of time.

Flood in PULASKI, ILLINOIS
From 07-MAR-08 07:00:00 to 31-MAR-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW GRAND CHAIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Major flooding of the Ohio River occurred. At the Grand Chain gage, the river crested at 54.40 feet on March 26. Flood stage there is 42 feet, and major flooding begins at 53 feet. Water reached the power house at Lock and Dam 53. Large areas of agricultural land were flooded. Spring planting was not yet underway, so crop losses were negligible.

Flood in GALLATIN, ILLINOIS
From 07-MAR-08 10:00:00 to 31-MAR-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHAWNEETOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Moderate flooding of the Ohio River occurred. At the Shawneetown gage, the river crested at 48.04 feet on March 27. Flood stage there is 33 feet, and moderate flooding begins at 43 feet. Seeps developed in the levee at Old Shawneetown. Pumps were set up in the town to lower water levels. Over 5,000 sandbags were filled to combat seeps and boils in the levee. Eight or ten families evacuated the town. Several county roads were closed. Large areas of agricultural land were flooded. Crop losses were negligible since planting was not yet underway. Backwater caused flooding on the Saline River, a tributary that flows through Gallatin and Saline Counties.

Flood in POPE, ILLINOIS
From 10-MAR-08 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOLCONDA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Minor flooding of the Ohio River occurred. At the Golconda gage, the river crested at 48.62 feet on March 27. Flood stage there is 40 feet, and moderate flooding begins at 50 feet. Several families were evacuated in Hall Town. Large areas of agricultural land were flooded. Crop losses were negligible since planting was not yet underway.

Flood in ALEXANDER, ILLINOIS
From 07-MAR-08 10:00:00 to 31-MAR-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAIRO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Major flooding of the Ohio River occurred. At the Cairo gage, the river crested at 53.89 feet on March 25. Flood stage there is 40 feet, and major flooding begins at 53 feet. Large areas of agricultural land were flooded. Flood gates were closed at Cairo. Spring planting was not yet underway, so crop losses were negligible.

Flood in HARDIN, ILLINOIS
From 10-MAR-08 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSICLARE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Minor flooding of the Ohio River occurred. Low areas of Rosiclare were affected. Large areas of agricultural land were flooded. Crop losses were negligible since planting was not yet underway. The ferry from Hardin County, IL to Crittenden County, KY was closed for an extended duration, even longer than during the flood of 1997.

Flood in MASSAC, ILLINOIS
From 08-MAR-08 11:00:00 to 31-MAR-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROOKPORT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Minor flooding of the Ohio River occurred. At the Brookport gage, the river crested at 47.70 feet on March 25. Flood stage there is 37 feet. Floodwaters entered a neighborhood in Metropolis, closing a few side streets and inundating one mobile home. Long-term deterioration of the Brookport floodwall resulted in large volumes of water entering the town. City pumps were manned 24 hours a day for weeks to lower water levels in the town. Very few structures were affected, though water reached the foundation of at least one house. Large areas of agricultural land were flooded countywide, but planting was not yet underway. Much of Fort Massac State Park was flooded.