(Omaha, NE) -- A recent push of snow has many people wondering what the flood outlook in Nebraska looks like as Spring makes its way to the state.
With record-cold temperatures and a warming trend underway, The National Weather Service Omaha, Papio NRD, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, United States Geologic Survey and other agency partners, have been actively monitoring river ice conditions and coordinating a response for ice jams and potential spring flooding along the Platte River.
Here's how things stand currently:
Ice Jam/Potential Flooding Updates
- There is an ongoing ice jam at Fremont located at the Highway 77 bridge and continues upstream 2-3 miles. The water levels have subsided since the ice jam formed on January 29th. For current flood advisory details visit: www.weather.gov/omaha
- The Papio NRD took ice thickness measurements at the Platte River (Highway 64/Valley). The ice measured 15 inches thick, which could signify an increased potential for ice jams
- A warming trend is underway, but doesn’t accelerate until the first week of March
- Until then, average temperatures are near-to-above freezing, allowing gradual melting to begin
- How fast the temperatures warm up in the coming weeks is what is being closely monitored
- All involved agencies continue to monitor the river ice conditions and weather forecasts