May 1, 2019
The Mississippi River remained above flood stage due to a persistent wet pattern through the winter and spring. May rainfall totals cracked the top five in many locations. At Paducah, KY, 11.09 inches of rain fell, shattering the previous May record by over an inch. Normally, 13 to 15 inches of rain falls in the spring months from March through May. In 2019, however, between 15 and 20 inches of rain was common with some areas receiving between 20 and 25 inches. In Cape Girardeau, 19.13 inches of
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 821951). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in New Madrid County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.