The Ohio River began its upward climb toward historic levels. The river rose above flood stage about mid-month. A series of heavy rainfall events gradually forced the river upward at an unsteady rate. The river continued rising at the end of the month, cresting at historic levels in early May. Impacts of the May crest will be included in the May report. April ended up being the wettest month on record at Paducah, Kentucky. 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 and southeast Missouri 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 PULASKI, ILLINOIS
From 12-APR-11 20:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW GRAND CHAIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Flood in MASSAC, ILLINOIS
From 12-APR-11 18:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROOKPORT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

A voluntary evacuation of the city of Brookport was requested due to potential problems with its levees. Residents of Metropolis living in flood-prone areas within a few blocks of the river were asked to evacuate. This included all houses that were affected by the March, 1997 flood. A massive sandbagging operation was conducted to attempt to protect many homes and businesses along U.S. 45 from Interstate 24 to the downtown area of Metropolis, as well as Joppa. Shelters were opened for those who were displaced. A hotel-casino along the Metropolis riverfront was closed.

Flood in HARDIN, ILLINOIS
From 14-APR-11 15:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSICLARE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Ohio River created numerous problems. A couple of churches were sandbagged in Cave-In-Rock and Elizabethtown. Flood gates were installed at Rosiclare. Parks and other recreational facilities outside of the levee protection system were flooded. The ferry from Cave-In-Rock to Crittenden County, KY was shut down.

Flood in GALLATIN, ILLINOIS
From 11-APR-11 09:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHAWNEETOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Sandbagging operations and some evacuations were conducted in Old Shawneetown, Equality, Junction, and New Haven. These communities are all affected by the Ohio River or its backwater coming up the Saline River. Pumps in Old Shawneetown were overwhelmed by rainwater runoff collecting on the dry side of the levee. This was responsible for considerable flooding in Old Shawneetown even before the Ohio River crested. A number of roads were closed, including the main road into Junction and Route 1. All roads into Old Shawneetown were blocked by authorities to prevent looting and interference from sightseers. A Red Cross shelter was opened in Shawneetown.

Flood in POPE, ILLINOIS
From 14-APR-11 20:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAY CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Due to Ohio River flooding, the floodgates were installed at Golconda. This required that all access roads into and out of Golconda be closed, since those roads pass through the floodwall openings. Schools and government offices were closed due to the effective shutdown of Golconda, the largest town in the county. The Golconda post office was moved to a temporary location outside of town. Residents of the tiny community of Hamletsburg were evacuated. All the residents of Hall Town, which is an unprotected area outside the levee protection system, were evacuated.

Flood in ALEXANDER, ILLINOIS
From 10-APR-11 22:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAIRO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The entire city of Cairo was placed under a mandatory evacuation order as the Ohio River approached the top of the levees protecting the city. Only about 40 people remained behind after the evacuation. Due to heavy rain and backed-up sewers, several blocks within the city experienced basement flooding despite being protected by levees. Most routes into and out of the city were blocked by flooding, including Route 3 to the north and both bridges to the south (over the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers).