The National Weather Service office in Kansas City/Pleasant Hill, Missouri, has issued a Flood Warning covering 29 areas across Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Indiana. The warning was issued at 9:51 AM CDT on September 16 and remains in effect until 11:30 PM CDT on September 20 — a duration of more than four days, which points to ongoing or expected river flooding rather than a quick flash-flood event.
Affected counties include Carroll, Chariton, Daviess, Gentry, Linn, and Livingston in Missouri; Montgomery in Iowa; Adams and Wells in Indiana; and Atchison in Kansas, along with 19 additional areas. Multi-day flood warnings like this typically reflect rivers and streams running above flood stage after recent heavy rainfall, with water levels slow to recede.
What You Might Notice
If you live in or travel through the warned areas, expect high water on creeks and rivers, water over low-lying roads and rural routes, and possible closures near river crossings and low-water bridges. Agricultural land along river bottoms may be submerged, and basements in flood-prone spots could see seepage. Conditions can vary widely county to county — some locations will see minor lowland flooding while roads near larger rivers remain impassable for days.
Who is most affected: residents in low-lying areas near rivers and streams, farmers with bottomland fields, and anyone whose daily commute crosses flood-prone roads.
Sensible steps right now:
1. Never drive through water covering a road — six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and two feet can carry away most vehicles. Turn around and find another route.
2. If you live near a river or creek in one of the warned counties, move valuables and important documents out of basements and low floors, and know your quickest route to higher ground.
3. Keep monitoring local forecasts through the week — the warning runs through late September 20, and additional rain could extend it or change which rivers crest highest.
This information comes from the National Weather Service (NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill, MO), the official source for flood warnings in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I'm in one of the warned counties?
Avoid driving on flooded roads — that's the biggest danger in events like this. If you live near a river or low-lying area, move essentials to higher floors and stay tuned to local NWS updates.
How long will this flooding last?
The warning currently runs until 11:30 PM CDT on September 20, which suggests rivers are expected to stay above flood stage for several days. The timeline could be extended if more rain falls.
Which areas are included in this warning?
Twenty-nine areas are covered, including Carroll, Chariton, Daviess, Gentry, Linn, and Livingston counties in Missouri; Montgomery County, Iowa; Adams and Wells counties, Indiana; and Atchison County, Kansas, plus 19 more.
Is my home at risk even if I don't live right next to a river?
Most flooding in events like this affects low-lying land near rivers, streams, and poor-drainage areas. If your property has flooded before or sits in a low spot, take basic precautions; otherwise, the main risk is flooded roads during travel.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waxing Crescent (27% illuminated), in Scorpio.
Notable planetary angles: Sun sextile Mars (61°), Sun sextile Moon (63°), Mercury opposite Saturn (177°), Moon trine Mars (124°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 2.3; strongest recent solar flare: nothing notable.
This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.
