Do May flowers bring June showers?
As of 10:45 a.m., a dubious milestone has been reached in the greater Poplar Bluff area as a record has been set for the greatest June one-day rainfall.
According to Dan Spaeth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service out of Paducah, the greater Poplar Bluff area recorded 4.14 inches of rain — the majority of which fell between 6 a.m. and 10:20 a.m.
“Usually, just receiving 1 inch of rain in a short period of time can be difficult to manage,” Spaeth remarked. “But to receive more than four inches so quickly, I imagine would cause problems anywhere.”
This breaks the all-time June daily precipitation record which was previously 4 inches set June 4, 1928.
Spaeth went on to explain that the chances for rain throughout the remainder of the day appears slim, and there is no apparent forecast for rain until the weekend.
“I don’t want to say there is no chance at all,” Spaeth clarified. “But, for now, it looks like things will be OK.”
Flash flooding has been seen throughout Butler County, but had begun receding in some areas as of 11 a.m.
Emergency services were called to the area of Maud and Westwood Boulevard as waters rose on side streets, trapping some vehicles.
Drivers are urged not to enter high waters and use caution.
This is an evolving story and will be updated as additional information becomes available.