Moderate to major river flooding developed during the month. After a wet January, the active weather pattern continued into February. Frequent moderate to heavy rain events continued pushing not only the monthly and seasonal precipitation totals higher but also the rivers. The winter of 2018-19 ended up being the fourth wettest winter on record at Paducah, Kentucky, where records go back to 1937. February was the second wettest February on record at Paducah. The monthly rainfall total at Paducah was 10.42 inches. Persistent south to southwest winds aloft brought a steady supply of moisture from the Pacific or the Gulf of Mexico into the region. Fronts that lifted north across the region brought southerly winds and moisture into the lower levels. When the two coincided, areas of very heavy rain occurred. For some locations on the lower Ohio River, it was the highest river stage since the historic 2011 flood. Around 50 homes in the city of Metropolis alone were affected by flooding. The flood crest at Paducah, KY (across from Metropolis) was tied with the 1950 flood for the second highest since the Flood of 1937. The 2011 flood remains the worst flood since the Flood of 1937 at Paducah.

Flood in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 08-FEB-19 14:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT CARBON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the Big Muddy River. At the Murphysboro river gage, the river crested at 29.51 feet on the 13th. Flood stage there is 22 feet. There was considerable flooding of low-lying woods and fields. Parts of a city park were flooded.

Flood in FRANKLIN, ILLINOIS
From 08-FEB-19 19:00:00 to 19-FEB-19 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLUMFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Minor flooding occurred on the Big Muddy River. Low-lying fields and woodlands near the river were inundated.

Flood in WHITE, ILLINOIS
From 08-FEB-19 07:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILLIPSTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the Wabash River. At the New Harmony, IN river gage, the river crested at 20.41 feet on the 16th. Flood stage is 15 feet. Considerable flooding of low ground occurred on the Illinois side of the river. Most of the low ground was dormant agricultural fields. Some county roads were flooded.

Flood in HARDIN, ILLINOIS
From 10-FEB-19 08:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAVE IN ROCK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding of the Ohio River occurred. A portion of Illinois Route 1 was closed. There was considerable flooding of low-lying woods and fields. Rural county roads were flooded. A campground at Saline Landing was flooded, and Front Street was flooded in Elizabethtown. There was sandbagging around a few homes in Elizabethtown and Cave-In-Rock. At Rosiclare, Illinois Route 146 was closed leading into town, and water was up along a floodgate. The town of Rosiclare put up the first floodgates in the lowest sections of town. However, little or no property damage occurred in Hardin County. The ferry from Cave-In-Rock to the Kentucky shore suspended operations due to high water.

Flood in PULASKI, ILLINOIS
From 10-FEB-19 08:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOUND CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding occurred on the Ohio River. There was extensive flooding of low-lying woods, fields, and parks. Through February, the impacts were very similar to the March, 1997 flood. Areas not protected by levees were inundated. Since the crop season was not underway, agricultural losses were insignificant. The Ohio River did not crest until March at the Cairo river gage.

Flood in MASSAC, ILLINOIS
From 10-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: JOPPA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A prolonged major river flood affected at least 50 homes in Metropolis. At Paducah, across the river from Metropolis, the Ohio River crested at 53.27 feet on the 25th. This was tied with the 1950 flood for the second worst flood since the Flood of 1937. Since 1937, only the flood crest of 2011 was higher. The flood crest reached 60.60 feet in the winter of 1937. Metropolis is not protected by a levee or flood wall, so river floodwater impacted the city directly. Heavy rainfall events combined with backwater from the Ohio River caused widespread flooding along the eastern limits of Metropolis. Numerous roads were closed around the county. In the city of Metropolis, portions of 27 city streets were closed. The governor of Illinois toured the flooded area. The riverboat casino in Metropolis was closed for an extended period of time. Outside the city limits, 17 to 20 additional homes were affected in the county. About six of those homes were flooded. At least three water rescues were conducted. The Red Cross opened a shelter in Brookport. Floodgates were installed around Brookport, blocking access to the city from the east.

Flood in POPE, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOLCONDA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding of the Ohio River occurred. At the Golconda gage, the river crested at 51.51 feet on February 25. Flood stage there is 40 feet, and moderate flooding begins at 49 feet. There was considerable flooding of low-lying woods and fields. A few residences in the lowest areas near the river were impacted. Rural Pope County roads were flooded around Brownfield and Hamletsburg.

Flood in WHITE, ILLINOIS
From 07-FEB-19 17:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARMI MUNI ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the Little Wabash River. At the Carmi river gage, the river crested at 33.99 feet on the 15th. Flood stage there is 27 feet. Extensive flooding of low fields occurred in areas near Routes 1 and 14 in and around Carmi. Numerous county roads were inundated.

Flood in ALEXANDER, ILLINOIS
From 08-FEB-19 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAIRO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding occurred on the Ohio River. U.S. Highway 60/62 was closed at the Ohio River bridge to Kentucky. This road serves as a primary link between Kentucky and Illinois. A detour of about 80 miles was required for commuters in the area. The governor of Illinois surveyed the flooded part of the county. There was extensive flooding of low-lying woods, fields, and parks. Through February, the impacts were very similar to the March, 1997 flood. Most of the flood gates were installed at Cairo. Areas not protected by the levee and floodwall system were inundated. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed a high-capacity pump near Urbandale to remove water from heavy rainfall on the protected side of the levee. Since the crop season was not underway, agricultural losses were insignificant. The Ohio River did not crest until March at the Cairo river gage.

Flood in WABASH, ILLINOIS
From 08-FEB-19 08:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALLENDALE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding occurred on the Wabash River. At the Mt. Carmel river gage, the river crested at 28.38 feet on the 15th. Flood stage is 19 feet. There was considerable inundation of low-lying woodlands and fields. Around Mount Carmel, most roads outside the floodwall along the river were impassable. Cattle and farm equipment were moved to higher ground. Some mobile homes had to be moved, and the city of Mount Carmel had to install flood gates.

Flood in GALLATIN, ILLINOIS
From 09-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHAWNEETOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Moderate flooding of the Ohio River occurred. At the Shawneetown gage, the river crested at 48.96 feet on February 20. Flood stage there is 33 feet, and moderate flooding begins at 43 feet. The community of Old Shawneetown was threatened, but most of this community has been abandoned since the devastating flood of 2011. Very little if any structural flooding was reported in Old Shawneetown. There was considerable flooding of low-lying agricultural land. Numerous county roads were closed. Backwater flooding extended up the Saline River, affecting low ground from Junction to Equality.