SCHUYLER, Neb. (KMTV) — UPDATE - 6 P.M.
Areas of Nebraska are under flood watch as ice on the Platte River begins to melt. The flood warning for the Platte River south of Schuyler has been extended to Saturday morning. The flood watch for East-central Nebraska, Northeast Nebraska and Southeast Nebraska is in effect until Monday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, the ice is measuring between 12 and 15 inches thick. The recent warm temperatures is causing the ice to melt which can lead to ice jams and eventually flooding.
"We’re seeing two areas of jamming right now. One by Fremont, that’s been there for some weeks with some minor flooding on the southside of Fremont. We have a new ice jam upstream by Schuyler that’s impacting Highway 15 with water flowing over the roadway there," said Van DeWald, Lead Meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Flooding has already begun across some roads in Schuyler but additional flooding is highly likely. DeWald said the flooding would not be the same magnitude as Nebraska saw in 2019.
"I think the magnitude would be significantly less than what we saw in 2019, this is a completely different situation. We might see some flooding but it’ll be very isolated very localized probably very close to the river," DeWald said.
Although if it floods, it won't be on the same scale as a few years ago, residents are still apprehensive.
"It’s just going to have me thinking if I’m going to be staying around this area if this keeps happening can’t do it all by myself every time," Laura Roddenberry, an Inglewood resident said. "It’s very stressful it’s hard on people. A lot of people are still recovering from the last flood so we just have to go day to day and do what you can."
DeWald said the ideal situation would be a gradual warm up in temperature, but ice jams and weather are unpredictable.
PREVIOUS STORY - 8 A.M.
Authorities are keeping a close eye on the potential for flooding on area rivers including the Platte.
RELATED: Flood Watch issued for Eastern Nebraska
A flood watch for an ice jam is in effect through Monday morning.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for portions of east-central Nebraska, northeast Nebraska and southeast Nebraska.
With warmer temperatures, large chunks of ice will start to thin and melt.
The Dodge County Emergency Management Agency is warning about the potential for flooding and asking people who live along the river in low-lying areas to consider evacuating.
However, only the Loupe River is showing some rising water levels outside Columbus.
If you need to leave, experts say if you can, you should do the following before you leave your home or business:
- Make sure everyone is accounted for
- Get all your pets together
- Grab only essential items, including any medication
- Turn off all appliances and lights and lock your home when you leave
See more from reporter Kent Luetzen below.
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.
