Flood Warning Issued for McDonald County, Missouri as Big Sugar Creek Rises
A Flood Warning is in effect for McDonald County, Missouri, until 3:45 PM CST today as Big Sugar Creek reaches flood stage, impacting local low water crossings.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Springfield, MO, has issued a Flood Warning for McDonald County in southwest Missouri. The warning was triggered by ongoing river flooding along Big Sugar Creek.
Affected Areas
The primary area affected is McDonald County in southwest Missouri. Specific locations that may experience flooding include Powell. The National Weather Service specifically identifies Bentonville Hollow at Highway E as a low water crossing currently impacted by the rising water.
What You Should Do
Residents and motorists are advised to “Turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads. The National Weather Service emphasizes that many flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Motorists should avoid driving through water of unknown depth.
Expected Conditions
As of 9:45 AM CST, Big Sugar Creek near Powell is in flood stage. Streams in the region continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall. Localized flooding of low-lying areas and low water crossings is expected to persist while the creek remains elevated.
Timeline
The Flood Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to remain in place until 3:45 PM CST on March 5, 2026.
Source: NOAA Official Notice