Prepare for immediate ascent to elevated locations: Meteorologist issues grave prediction of once-in-a-millennium flood hitting the central United States.
**Historic Flash Flooding Hits Central US: Key Points and Impact on Rivers**
A series of historic flash flooding events have been sweeping across the central United States, with the central U.S. expected to experience significant flooding this week. Here's what we know so far about the causes, affected regions, and potential impacts on rivers.
**Causes**
The heavy rainfall is being driven by an atmospheric river flowing into the central U.S. from the tropics, and a big area of high pressure off the coast of the Southeast U.S. funneling moisture from the Caribbean and Gulf into the affected areas. Forecasters anticipate that the rains will ease off over the weekend, but rivers may continue to rise into next week.
**Affected Regions**
Parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky are expected to receive up to 1.5 feet (0.5 meter) of rain between Wednesday and Saturday (April 5). The National Weather Service has predicted widespread flash flooding, particularly in the Lower Ohio Valley, Mid-South, and Arkansas.
**Impact on Rivers**
The rainfall could cause problems along creeks, streams, and low-lying flood-prone areas before evolving into a river flooding problem. The movement of water is expected to slow down and effectively stall between now and the weekend, leading to potential flooding in rivers such as the Mississippi and Ohio.
**Broader Implications**
The flash flooding has already caused significant damage in some regions, with some areas having already experienced deadly flooding this year, particularly Kentucky, where flooding led to the deaths of at least 24 people in February. People in the affected areas are advised to be prepared to move to higher ground.
In the long term, the events have sparked conversations about the increasing risks of extreme weather events due to climate change and the importance of robust emergency management and forecasting systems. A new study predicts a 'wobble' in the moon's orbit could lead to record flooding in the 2030s.
In summary, the historic flash flooding in the central U.S. is being caused by a powerful weather system that is expected to dump heavy rainfall on already vulnerable regions, potentially leading to catastrophic river rises, widespread destruction, and tragic loss of life. The impact on rivers like the Mississippi and Ohio will be felt for weeks to come, with ongoing dangers to communities and infrastructure.
Environmental science indicates that the current flash flooding in the central U.S. is a potential consequence of climate-change, as it's being driven by an atmospheric river.weather-forecasting systems are anticipating that the rains will continue to cause problems for rivers, such as the Mississippi and Ohio, for several more days.
