Heavy rain continued in Mid-Missouri on Friday morning, and the National Weather Service in St. Louis forecasts the Missouri River will continue to rise through the weekend.
After heavy rain fell in the area Thursday night and Friday morning, Cole County and Jefferson City officials said most of the rain hit harder near Russellville and areas south of there, leading to minor flooding in the immediate area.
As of 2 p.m. Friday, the Missouri River was at 22.87 feet in Jefferson City and is expected to rise to 27.7 feet by Monday afternoon, then begin to fall. The Moreau River near Jefferson City was at 18.56 feet as of 1:30 p.m. Friday; it's expected to rise to 26 feet by this afternoon then begin to drastically fall. (See links below for updates.)
Cole County Emergency Management Director Bill Farr said most of the flooding was around Osage Bend and Osage City, noting areas near Russellville and south of there had up to 5 inches of rain and flash flooding issues.
"Those areas ... received quite a bit more rain than we did in Jeff City itself," Farr said. "It's already receding."
Farr said there were no real big issues in Cole County and no reports of property damage or downed trees. Roads closed in Cole County on Friday included Waterford Road, Meadows Ford Road, Murphy Ford Road, Vaughn Ford Road and Loesch Road.
Jefferson City Public Works Director Matt Morasch said one area of Cole Junction Road was closed Friday due to flooding, but other than that specific location, city staff was simply on alert for any flash flooding in the area. Crews get prepared with emergency response vehicles, he said, and try to be ready in case any low-lying areas get flooded.
Morasch said they also use an alert system that helps let crews know what areas have been flooded. Morasch said though the next couple days look like they might be dry, crews will be on call if needed.
Farr said after Friday night, the hope is the rivers will begin to recede, but until then, crews are watching the levels.
"We're just watching the Missouri River," Farr said.
Updates:
Mid-Missouri radar and forecast
Flood statements by National Weather Service, St. Louis
Hydrological map by National Weather Service, St. Louis