6:22am Thursday – Good news this morning! The Rock River will reach its crest sometime later today, at a level lower than previously forecast. The National Weather Service now predicts the river will crest around 13.7 feet, short of the previous 14.4 foot forecast. Good news for residents of Shore Drive in Moline, who have seen major flooding in 2013 and 2014. Today’s crest will come short of both previous floods.
9:34am Wednesday – Heavy rainfall in the Rock River basin over the past 10 days is taking its toll on the water levels. This morning on Good Morning Quad Cities, we watched as the water crept closer to Shore Drive.
By tonight, the water will go over the roadway along the river. What’s most important is the comparison to last year’s 13.9 foot crest. As of this morning, the forecast for Friday is 14.4 feet. While this level doesn’t take it into the top-ten all time floods, it will mean that water will come into homes and businesses along the river. In addition, some roads will be closed, including Shore Drive and possibly 52nd Avenue in Moline.
While other rivers in our coverage area remain in flood stage, the Rock River from Prophetstown to Rock Island is the only stretch with rising conditions.
Flood Warnings remain in effect. Please stay out of flood waters and never drive across a flooded roadway.
-Meteorologist Eric Sorensen
