Eastern Nebraska and western Iowa residents are bracing for more potential heavy rain. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected across much of the area Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning, with the heaviest falling south of I-80.
With the ground already saturated from rainfall in the past few days, any additional heavy rain could result in some localized flooding. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the entire area through 7:00 a.m. Wednesday.
Local emergency officials will be keeping a close eye on Missouri River levels as additional rises are possible through Thursday or Friday due to the latest rainfall.
Omaha Public Works announced Monday afternoon that it will initiate a 24 hour monitoring of the levee system to ensure that all stations are performing as efficiently as possible to get the rainwater out and to keep the sanitary sewage system running.
They will also assess the need to install the flood wall along Lewis and Clark Landing. The Public Works Department will work with other city departments to notify local businesses and residents at risk of flooding from the latest rainfall.
Assistant Public Works Director James Thieler says the amounts of rain predicted should be well below the top of the levees or flood walls. The city will work to pump out rain that falls inside the levee in low spots that worry engineers.