Flood Warning: Big Blue River near Barneston expected to crest at 18.8 ft Sunday evening

The Big Blue River near Barneston is rising and expected to crest at 18.8 feet Sunday evening — just below the 20.0-foot flood stage, but high enough to begin inundating rural lowlands — according to an updated Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

The warning, which runs through Monday afternoon, October 5, at 4:00 PM CDT, covers the Big Blue River near Barneston in Gage County. As of 5:00 AM Saturday, the river stood at 15.0 feet. NWS notes this update reflects a slight decrease in the forecasted crest compared to earlier projections.

At 18.0 feet, rural lowlands begin to flood. The river's bankfull stage — the point at which water starts spilling onto surrounding land — is 20.0 feet, the same threshold as official flood stage. The forecast crest of 18.8 feet would fall short of that mark but would still bring water onto low-lying rural areas.

For historical context, a previous crest of 18.4 feet was recorded at this location on June 2, 2010 — making the current forecast slightly higher than that benchmark.

Gage County is also being affected by flooding on the Big Blue River at Beatrice, where minor flooding is already occurring. As of 4:45 AM Saturday, that gauge read 18.9 feet — already above its 18.0-foot flood stage — and is forecast to crest at 21.5 feet Sunday morning before falling below flood stage Monday morning, according to NWS. At 21.0 feet, the West Scott baseball fields in Beatrice begin to flood. That forecasted crest of 21.5 feet would be the highest recorded at Beatrice since a crest of 21.3 feet on September 30, 1923.

Turkey Creek near De Witt, affecting both Saline and Gage Counties, is also under a Flood Warning, with moderate flooding occurring. That gauge stood at 26.7 feet as of 4:45 AM Saturday — above its 23.5-foot flood stage — and is expected to fall below flood stage late Saturday evening. At 28.0 feet, floodwaters begin to impact the town of DeWitt, similar to conditions experienced in 2015, according to NWS.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.— National Weather Service

NWS urges motorists not to drive around barricades or through flooded areas, and to exercise extra caution at night when flood dangers are harder to see. Residents who observe flooding are asked to report it to local emergency services or law enforcement and request that the information be passed to the National Weather Service. Additional flood safety information is available at weather.gov/safety/flood and water.noaa.gov.

Why it matters — Three rivers in Gage County are simultaneously under Flood Warnings, with rural lowlands already flooding and road hazards likely — residents and drivers in the area face real risk through at least Monday.

Reported by weather.gov, usairnet.com