The National Weather Service office in St. Louis, Missouri issued a Flood Warning late Sunday night, October 5, at 11:32 PM CDT. The warning remains in effect until Tuesday, October 7, at 1:00 PM CDT and currently covers 21 areas, including Pike County in Illinois; Pike, Callaway, Osage, Carroll, Chariton, and Saline counties in Missouri; Baker and Nassau counties in Florida; Charlton County in Georgia; and 11 additional areas.
A Flood Warning means flooding is already occurring or is imminent — this is a step beyond a Flood Watch, which only means conditions are favorable. Residents in the affected counties, particularly those near rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas, may notice rising water on roadways, water covering fields and yards, and faster-than-normal stream flows. In the Missouri and Illinois counties along the Mississippi and Missouri river basins, river levels and tributary streams are the primary concern. In the Florida and Georgia counties, heavy rainfall and poor drainage in low-lying areas are typical drivers.
What you should do
If you live in or are traveling through any of the warned areas, keep these points in mind:
Never drive through flooded roads. Just six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and a foot of water can float most vehicles. Turn around, don’t drown — this remains the leading cause of flood-related deaths in the U.S.
Move valuables and essentials to higher ground if your property is in a flood-prone spot, and be ready to relocate to higher ground if water begins rising near your home.
Monitor local updates. Conditions can change overnight; check for updated statements from your local National Weather Service office and follow any instructions from local emergency management, including road closures or evacuation notices.
The warning is currently scheduled to expire at 1:00 PM CDT on October 7, but it could be extended, expanded, or allowed to expire early depending on how water levels respond. Stay tuned to local media and weather radio for the latest information.
This alert is based on official data from the National Weather Service (NWS) St. Louis office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I'm in one of the warned counties?
Avoid driving on flooded roads, move away from streams and low-lying areas, and monitor local NWS updates and emergency management notices. If water is rising near your home, move to higher ground promptly.
How long will this flood warning last?
The warning is in effect until 1:00 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 7. It may be extended or canceled early depending on how quickly water levels recede.
Is it safe to drive through standing water on the road?
No. Six inches of moving water can sweep a person away, and about a foot can float a vehicle — and you often can't tell how deep water is or whether the road underneath has washed out. Turn around and find another route.
Which areas are included in this warning?
The warning covers 21 areas, including Pike County, IL; Pike, Callaway, Osage, Carroll, Chariton, and Saline counties in Missouri; Baker and Nassau counties in Florida; Charlton County in Georgia; and 11 additional areas. Check your local NWS office for the full county list.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
Related Reading
- Emergency Communication: Staying Connected When Towers Go Down
- Earthquake Survival: Precautions, Kit & Early Warning in 2026
- Essential Guide to Preparing for a Nuclear War
Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waning Crescent (23% illuminated), in Leo.
Notable planetary angles: Mercury conjunct Venus (1°), Sun opposite Saturn (178°), Sun sextile Moon (58°), Mercury square Mars (92°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 2.3; strongest recent solar flare: M1.9-class.
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.
