In Pictures

Gallery|Climate Crisis

Unprecedented flooding hits parts of US

A large spring storm has brought one of the country’s worst flooding events in decades.

U.S. historic flooding
In Freeport, Illinois, cars sit in floodwater from the Pecatonica River. Several Midwest states are battling some of the worst flooding they have experienced in decades. [Scott Olson/AFP]
Published On 25 Mar 2019

Landmark flooding continues to devastate parts of the central United States.

The disaster was initiated during the second week of March when what is referred to as a “bomb cyclone” moved out of the Rockies and into the Plains dropping heavy rain and triggering snowmelt.

The images below capture the widespread extent of damage as a result of the ongoing flooding.

While residents in Nebraska and Iowa are beginning to clean up, states downstream can only wait as the rivers have yet to crest.

U.S. historic flooding
This image released by the office of Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, shows cattle stranded by floodwater in Fremont, Nebraska. [Office of Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts/AFP]
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U.S. historic flooding
Another image from Nebraska shows the rushing waters near Genoa, Nebraska, which caused damage to a bridge. [Office of Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts/AFP]
U.S. historic flooding
In Hamburg, Iowa, a vintage car is submerged in floodwater up to the windshield. Although floodwater in the town has started to recede, many homes and businesses remain surrounded by water. [Scott Olson/AFP]
U.S. historic flooding
A boat sits long the the flooded highway that leads into Craig, Missouri. Hundreds of communities have been affected and in some areas, boats are the only way in to bring relief and aid. [Scott Olson/AFP]
U.S. historic flooding
Mike Rasnic sits on the front porch of his home in Craig, Missouri, which is surrounded by floodwater. At least three deaths have been linked to the flooding. [Scott Olson/AFP]
U.S. historic flooding
Debris is left behind on the railroad tracks as floodwater begins to recede in Craig, Missouri. The full extent of the damage is yet to be assessed until all homes and businesses can be inspected. The cost of the flooding has already exceeded $1.5bn. [Scott Olson/AFP]
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U.S. historic flooding
A flooded corn field is seen near Nemaha, Nebraska. Just one example of what thousands of farmers are now facing as floodwater has devastated crops. [Scott Olson/AFP]
U.S. historic flooding
This image from the National Weather service marks all the river gauges across the Plain and Midwest states. The purple points indicate river locations that are at major flood stage. As of March 25, 42 gauges were reporting major flooding and 77 points were at moderate flood stages. Much of the floodwater still need to travel downstream and will affect many river communities across the south in the coming days and weeks.[NWS]