CRAIG, Mo. — As snow piles up on the sides of the road from this week’s winter storm, concern for spring flooding is growing.
The National Weather Service says Kansas and Missouri face above-average flood risk this spring because soil is still saturated from last spring’s flooding.
Two other things causing concern include the significant amount of snow on the ground in the Dakotas and higher-than-normal river levels, according to the Associated Press.
Last spring parts of Kansas and Missouri experienced devastating flooding after several levees broke along the Missouri River. Parkville’s Riverfront Park was submerged in water and closed for most of the summer.
But the potential for severe flooding could spell trouble for homes far from the river.
According to Paul Taylor, FEMA’s regional director for Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa, 25 percent of flood insurance claims in 2019 came from areas not considered at high-risk for flooding.
He suggests that homeowners outside of high-risk areas consider federal flood insurance. There’s typically a 30-day waiting period for policies to take effect, so the time to act fast is approaching.
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This story will be updated,
