Feb 24, 1997
Heavy rainfall during the latter half of February across the upper Plains sent the Mississippi River rising above flood stage by month's end. At Cape Girardeau, the river rose above the 32 foot flood stage on the 24th, and was near 37 feet by the end of the month. The river rose unusually fast, from 15 feet on the 21st to over 35 feet on the 26th. This rapid rise caught some contractors by surprise. A bridge project near Cape Girardeau was abruptly halted by the rising water. Some damage occurre
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5591261). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Cape Girardeau County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.