Storms dump heavy rain; Mississippi River could crest at 46.5 feet

The same storms that pummeled Oklahoma, causing several deaths, dumped inches of rain within just a few hours in Southeast Missouri and the region.

A daily rainfall record was set at Paducah, Ky., where 4.83 inches of rain fell in about three hours beginning at 3:15 a.m. Saturday. The old daily record was 2.61 inches, set in 1971.

Unofficial rain totals from the National Weather Service from midnight Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday listed 3.39 inches at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. Barkley Regional Airport at Paducah reported 5.58 inches of rain and 3.97 inches fell at Cairo [Ill.] Regional Airport.

Unofficial two-day rain totals from 7 a.m. Thursday through 7 a.m. Saturday listed 3.95 inches in Cape Girardeau, 5.65 inches in Paducah and 4.26 inches in Cairo.

The weather service also received reports of flooding in the region, especially in western Kentucky where flash flooding produced water over some highways. Restaurants and hotels in the Paducah area reported standing water in their parking lots and surrounding lawns.

Funnel clouds were spotted Friday afternoon in Jefferson and Perry counties in Illinois.

The Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau could crest at historic levels after record-breaking rain pelted the country's midsection last week.

The National Weather Service now predicts the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau will rise to near 46.5 feet Thursday before falling. The river was at 35.9 feet Saturday night. Flood stage is 32 feet.

A level of 48.5 feet would be the highest on record.