Levee breaks in Arkansas as record flooding continues to plague the region

iStock/Thinkstock(ST. LOUIS) — Pervasive flooding continues to plague parts of the Midwest and South, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Missouri is bracing for what could be a dangerous, record-breaking week, and a levee breach just below the border in Arkansas could present a life-and-death situation, the NWS reported.

A levee breach has been confirmed along the Black River in Pocahontas, a small city located in Randolph County, Arkansas, which is close to the border of Missouri, according to the NWS. Weather officials called the situation “life-threatening” due to the risk of flash flooding.

Weather-related incidents have killed at least 17 people in parts of the Midwest and South since the weekend, but the bulk of the flood damage has occurred in Arkansas and Missouri, where dangerous conditions have not subsided.

Heavy rains caused an abrupt rise in rivers located in Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas. ABC meteorologists anticipate more precipitation to pummel those water bodies Wednesday and Thursday, flooding some regions at record levels.

Approximately 4 inches of rain are possible in the area around St. Louis, according to ABC meteorologists.

Copyright © 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

Powered by WPeMatico