After Trump’s FEMA Cuts, These Cities On The Mississippi And Ohio Rivers Could Be Flooded for Weeks
https://climatecrisis247.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/6758067-150x150.jpgIn early April, a 1-in-1,000-year rain event brought heavy rains and damaging winds to large swaths of the South and Midwest. The storm system drenched cities and towns from Texas to Ohio, causing widespread flooding and killing at least 23 people.
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Weeks later, dozens of communities are still dealing with substantial flood inundation. Riverine flood monitoring systems are registering water levels more than six feet above flooding threshold, with flooding forecast to persist or get worse over the next two weeks. The historic destruction has co-occurred with a series of FEMA funding and staffing cuts carried out by President Trump and the DOGE initiative, potentially putting hundreds of affected communities at risk. A closer look at the data reveals the cities where flooding could persist for weeks.
To determine the cities where flooding could last for weeks, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on flood inundation from the NOAA’s Office of Water Prediction. Waterbody monitoring stations were ranked based on the difference between forecast water levels for April 30, 2025 and defined flooding thresholds. Data on current flooding are based on observations for April 16, 2025. Waterbody monitoring stations were matched to cities using Census Bureau boundary definitions.
13. Helena-West Helena, AR (Mississippi River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 46.0 feet (+2.0 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 46.0 feet (+2.0 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 44.0 feet
- City population: 9,470
12. Memphis, TN (Mississippi River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 37.5 feet (+3.5 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 37.5 feet (+3.5 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 34.0 feet
- City population: 630,027
11. Tiptonville, TN (Mississippi River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 42.2 feet (+5.2 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 42.1 feet (+5.1 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 37.0 feet
- City population: 3,832
10. Greenville, MS (Mississippi River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 53.5 feet (+5.5 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 51.0 feet (+3.0 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 48.0 feet
- City population: 29,495
9. New Madrid, MO (Mississippi River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 39.7 feet (+5.7 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 39.7 feet (+5.7 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 34.0 feet
- City population: 2,761
8. Natchez, MS (Mississippi River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 54.5 feet (+6.5 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 50.4 feet (+2.4 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 48.0 feet
- City population: 14,380
7. Caruthersville, MO (Mississippi River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 39.6 feet (+7.6 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 39.6 feet (+7.6 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 32.0 feet
- City population: 5,504
6. Tunica Resorts, MS (Mississippi River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 37.7 feet (+7.7 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 37.9 feet (+7.9 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 30.0 feet
- City population: 2,096
5. Osceola, AR (Mississippi River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 37.4 feet (+9.4 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 37.5 feet (+9.5 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 28.0 feet
- City population: 6,911
4. Paducah, KY (Ohio River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 48.5 feet (+9.5 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 48.1 feet (+9.1 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 39.0 feet
- City population: 26,869
3. Simmesport, LA (Mississippi River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 57.5 feet (+9.5 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 52.9 feet (+4.9 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 48.0 feet
- City population: 1,308
2. Hickman, KY (Mississippi River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 45.4 feet (+11.4 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 45.3 feet (+11.3 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 34.0 feet
- City population: 1,884
1. Cairo, IL (Ohio River)
- Forecast water level, April 30: 52.2 feet (+12.2 feet above flooding threshold)
- Current water level: 52.1 feet (+12.1 feet above flooding threshold)
- Flooding threshold: 40.0 feet
- City population: 1,510
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