Due to continued heavy rain across the area, the National Weather Service in Paducah upgraded the Flood Watch to a Flood Warning for the entire Tri-State late Thursday night.

The forecast calls for more rain throughout the day Friday, and a slight chance for some severe thunderstorms on Saturday before finally finishing up overnight Saturday into Sunday morning. The extra rain will cause already rising river levels in the area (many of which are already above flood stage) to rise even higher making travel difficult, if not impossible, in the lower lying parts of the Tri-State.

The complete Warning from the NWS reads as follows:

Flood Warning
Flood Statement
National Weather Service Paducah Kentucky
944 PM CST Thu Feb 22 2018

...The flood warning continues for the following rivers in Indiana...
Kentucky...Illinois...Missouri...

Ohio River at Owensboro...Newburgh Dam...Evansville...Mount Vernon...
J.T. Meyers Dam...Shawneetown...Golconda...Smithland Dam...Paducah...
Brookport Dam...Grand Chain Dam and Cairo

.Rainfall that has already occurred, along with anticipated rain
through the weekend, will continue to cause rises along the Ohio
River basin. Major flooding is forecast at the Grand Chain Dam along
with near major flooding at Shawneetown. Moderate or minor flooding
is forecast at the other locations.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SAFETY MESSAGE...

Never drive cars...trucks or sport utility vehicles through flooded
areas. The water may be too deep to allow safe passage. Never allow
children to play in or near flood waters. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather
Radio or your local media for further statements and possible updated
forecasts.

944 PM CST Thu Feb 22 2018

The Flood Warning continues for
the Ohio River at Evansville
* until further notice.
* At 9:00 PM Thursday the stage was 43.0 feet.
* Flood Stage is 42.0 feet.
* Minor flooding is occurring and Minor flooding is forecast.
* Forecast...The river will continue rising to near 46.5 feet by
early Thursday morning then begin falling.
* Impact...At 45.0 Feet...Many county roads are flooded and some are
impassable.

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