Omaha officials say flood levels will remain below levee, but inland flooding possible (2024)

Even as the Missouri River is expected to rise to water levels not seen since 2011, Omaha Public Works officials said flooding on the land side of the levee could be the biggest issue.

The projected crest on the Missouri River at Omaha increased to 35.4 feet, up from the earlier forecast of 35.1 feet, Kevin Low, hydrologist with the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center of the National Weather Service, said during a Tuesday briefing. The crest now is expected around noon Thursday, slightly later than previously forecast.

The top of the 13-mile levee that borders the Missouri River in Omaha is about 40 feet, which means there will be an expected 3.5 to 4 feet of freeboard, the amount of space between the river and the top of the levee, according to Jim Theiler, assistant director for environmental services for Omaha Public Works.

“We’re feeling pretty good with that,” he said.

Omaha Public Works was first notified of the expected flooding on Friday and began taking protective measures immediately, Theiler said. The flooding has been particularly fast-moving, meaning officials received shorter notice than they typically do, Theiler said.

“What we can understand from this is this is an extremely rare event,” he said.

Rain could impact flooding on both sides of the levee

Theiler said the National Weather Service was projecting that the area will come down off of a moderate flood stage sometime Friday or Saturday and then be in a minor flood stage by early next week. However, that will depend on the amount of rain that comes into the area.

“Unless, if we start getting a lot more rains, we’re confident that this should be pretty short duration,” Theiler said.

Chances of rain were expected somewhere within the Missouri River Basin every day for the next seven days, Low said.

However, any rain that falls in areas near the levee could lead to flooding, as the levee gates are shut and it becomes harder to get the rain out, Theiler told Omaha City Council members Tuesday.

The city has deployed pumps along the system to expel water if it rains, Theiler said, but flooding issues remain possible.

“That’s one of the biggest problems we have, because we have to shut all the levee gates,” he said.

Officials close roads and trails, monitor low-lying areas

Parts of Lewis and Clark Landing at The RiverFront remained closed Tuesday, including the riverfront plaza, marina, urban beach and sand volleyball courts.

N.P. Dodge Park, including the marina, and Freedom Park were also closed.

Theiler said he was expecting John J. Pershing Drive to close at some point, and possibly other roads near the levee. Public Works employees were also working to close off trails near the river on Tuesday.

City officials will continue to provide updates on closures on the city’s website, Theiler said.

Officials were focusing protective measures on the Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant because parts of it are outside the federal levee protection, Theiler said.

While not many Omaha residents live near the levees, officials are keeping an eye on low-lying areas like Millwork Commons north of downtown Omaha and Carter Lake, which could be affected first if there were a levee breach, Theiler said.

“We’re doing everything we can as a city to make sure we’re protecting human life and property,” he said. “That’s what that levee is for.”

Highway closures near Council Bluffs

The Iowa Department of Transportation expected to close a portion of I-29 from 25th Street on the north edge of Council Bluffs to the I-29/880 interchange near Loveland sometime Tuesday night. In addition, the portion of I-680 west of I-29 located in Iowa will also be closed.

The department said closure of the roadways was originally expected to occur about 11 a.m. Tuesday. Crews, however, were working to keep the roads in the Council Bluffs area open as long as possible.

“We are closely monitoring the rising floodwater levels on the Missouri River in addition to the latest weather forecasts,” the DOT said in a press release. “Timing of road closures will depend on river levels.”

Once the roadway is closed, motorists should follow detour signs that will start at the I-29/880 interchange near Loveland, continue east to the I-80/880 interchange and then southwest on I-80 to Council Bluffs.

Once closed, motorists driving between Iowa and Nebraska should use I-80. Local traffic in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area should follow the signed detour.

The latest traveler information is available by using the 511 system or by calling 800-288-1047.

World-Herald staff writers Julie Anderson, Christopher Burbach and Kevin Cole contributed to this report.