Weather officials are urging residents to remain watchful for flooding as the Mississippi River experiences record-high waters and turbulent flows — conditions unprecedented in the month of January. Compounding the problem is ice buildup, which has been observed in pools near Winona, Minn., and Guttenberg, Iowa. The jams function as dams, leading to localized flooding as river levels behind them rise. As of Thursday afternoon, the river near Guttenberg and Prairie du Chien was at 13.6 feet, considered the “action” stage, but levels are predicted to drop below 12 feet by Wednesday. Conditions are not expected to dry out any time soon. The National Weather Service predicts near or above-normal precipitation through March.
