The Mississippi River began its upward trend toward historic flooding. The river rose above flood stage late in the month. A series of heavy rainfall events gradually forced the river upward at an unsteady rate. The river continued rising past the end of the month. Impacts of the May crest will be included in the May report. April ended up being the wettest month on record at Paducah, Kentucky. Rainfall at Cape Girardeau, Missouri was over 20 inches for the month of April. Most of the rain fell during the latter half of the month. A persistent southwest flow aloft tended to steer storms northeast from the Plains across the mid-section of the country. Cold fronts tended to stall near the Lower Ohio Valley as they became more parallel to the upper-level steering flow. Bands and clusters of thunderstorms frequently developed in the vicinity of the front, producing heavy rainfall.

Flood in PERRY, MISSOURI
From 20-APR-11 09:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: MENFRO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding occurred along the Mississippi River. Several roads were closed, including Highway E near Menfro. Most of the other roads were rural county roads.

Flood in MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI
From 19-APR-11 12:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIRDS PT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Major flooding occurred along the Mississippi River. Several roads were closed or covered by water, including County Roads 77 and 80.

Flood in NEW MADRID, MISSOURI
From 19-APR-11 08:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW MADRID
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding was in progress on the Mississippi River by the end of the month. The river continued rising into early May.

Flood in CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI
From 20-APR-11 09:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: GULF JCT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding was in progress on the Mississippi River by the end of the month. The river continued rising into early May. Floodwaters backed up creeks and diversion channels across southern parts of Cape Girardeau County, threatening areas along Highway 74 out to Dutchtown. A combination of Mississippi River backwater and headwater from small tributaries such as the Whitewater River caused problems as far inland as Delta and Allenville. Crews built an emergency levee along Highway 74 near Highway 25 to protect Dutchtown. Highways 74 and 25 were closed. Water rose two to three feet high on the levee, but the levee held. A small levee south of the emergency levee washed out, flooding several homes. Voluntary evacuations were requested in the Allenville area, where water blocked all roads into town. A couple of houses were flooded in Allenville. Countywide, more than 30 county roads were closed. A large portion of Route EE was closed near Delta. The Delta Fire Department conducted three water rescues. The Red Cross opened a shelter for flood victims. In Cape Girardeau, several homes and a couple of businesses were sandbagged in an area known as the Red Star neighborhood. More than 15 streets were closed by flooding in the city on both the north and south sides of town.

Flood in SCOTT, MISSOURI
From 19-APR-11 13:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: COMMERCE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding was in progress on the Mississippi River by the end of the month. The river continued rising into early May. A combination of Mississippi River backwater and headwaters from the Whitewater River caused flooding as far inland as Chaffee. A couple dozen homes were threatened in Commerce. Sandbagging was done around a home on Route EE. A large portion of Route EE was closed. Sixty homes were threatened by backwater in an area west of Sikeston. Many school districts were closed. In Chaffee, a nursing home was sandbagged after its parking lot flooded. Many homes and other structures along Highway 77 were surrounded by water. At least one street was closed in Chaffee.