The Mississippi River remained above flood stage due to a persistent wet pattern through the winter and spring. May rainfall totals cracked the top five in many locations. At Paducah, KY, 11.09 inches of rain fell, shattering the previous May record by over an inch. Normally, 13 to 15 inches of rain falls in the spring months from March through May. In 2019, however, between 15 and 20 inches of rain was common with some areas receiving between 20 and 25 inches. In Cape Girardeau, 19.13 inches of rain fell. This was 4.91 inches above normal, making it the 10th wettest spring on record. Heavy rain was commonplace across most of the Midwest and upper Mississippi Valley, prompting widespread and long lasting flooding throughout the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois River basins.

Flood in CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI
From 01-MAY-19 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: GULF JCT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

After rising above flood stage in mid-March, the Mississippi River remained above flood stage through the remainder of the spring. At the Cape Girardeau river gage, the river crested at 43.81 feet on May 8. However, the river started rising again late in the month. The May flood crest was well into the major flooding category, which starts at 42 feet. There was considerable flooding of low-lying farmland and woods. About 18,000 acres were flooded, which included at least 11,000 acres of cropland. Highway 177 was closed at the northern city limits of Cape Girardeau. Over a dozen county roads were inundated and closed in Cape Girardeau County. These roads were closed near the river, as well as along some tributary creeks extending well away from the river to Allenville and Dutchtown. Near and east of Dutchtown, Highway 74 was covered with about a foot of backwater from flooding of the Mississippi River diversion channel. Most residents of Dutchtown accepted a government buyout of their property, leaving only a few permanent residents behind. Facilities at riverfront parks were closed, including the campground and boat ramp at Trail of Tears State Park. Railroad tracks through the county were shut down. Across the county, flood risk reduction measures that were taken after major floods since the 1990's helped mitigate damage. Personnel from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assessed the effectiveness of these measures, which included trenches and relief wells. The Corps of Engineers conducted daily inspections of levees for seepage and other problems. The flood gates were closed in downtown Cape Girardeau. Since crop planting was not possible in areas that had been flooded all spring, direct crop losses were not high.

Flood in SCOTT, MISSOURI
From 01-MAY-19 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SCOTT CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 40.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Major flooding of the Mississippi River inundated thousands of acres of cropland. Flood mitigation buyouts in recent decades helped reduce property damage, particularly in the flood plain from Scott City to Commerce. Three homes on Scott County Road 308 alongside the Mississippi River were underwater, with over a foot of water covering the first floor. The primary effect on residents near the river was difficulty traveling due to flooded roads. Access to the small community of Commerce was affected. The river crested early in the month and then began to rise again late in the month.

Flood in NEW MADRID, MISSOURI
From 01-MAY-19 00:00:00 to 23-MAY-19 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW MADRID
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Minor flooding continued from April into late May along the Mississippi River. The flooding along this portion of the river (below the confluence with the Ohio River) was generally minor and shorter-lived than places to the north. The flood crest dampened out as it moved down the river, so that only minor flooding of low-lying woods and fields was observed. A few roads were flooded.