Severe weather, flooding anticipated today

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening from northeast Texas across the Mississippi and Ohio valleys to the southern Great Lakes. There is an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms for much of this area, including Crittenden County, with damaging winds being the main threat, though large hail and a few tornadoes are possible, as well.

Locally heavy rain is also a concern, leading the NWS to issue a flash flood watch for Crittenden County effective through the early morning hours of Friday. Today's thunderstorms are expected to bring 1 to 3 inches of rain, creating a potential for flash flooding across the entire county and aggravating flooding along the Ohio River.

A flood warning also remains in effect for Crittenden County along the Ohio River. At 10:30 this morning, the river at Shawneetown, Ill., was at 38.8 feet. Flood stage is 33 feet. The river is expected to crest at near 41.2 feet Sunday morning. Operation of the Cave In Rock Ferry is not expected to be impacted.