Real-time river flooding
across America.
Live USGS streamgauge readings, FEMA flood zones, NWS flood watches and warnings, and historical context — one map, refreshed throughout the day. Built for flood researchers, emergency managers, and outdoor recreationists.
What's happening right now
An AI-generated daily summary stitched from active streamgauge readings, NWS warnings, and watershed status.
**URGENT NATIONWIDE FLOODING ALERT** — A dangerous combination of extreme streamflow conditions and developing weather systems is creating a critical flooding emergency across multiple U.S. regions, with water levels reaching up to 940 times normal in some areas. As Hurricane Polo rapidly intensifies into a monster Category 5 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast and a significant nor'easter takes aim at the East Coast, communities from California to New England face life-threatening flood conditions. Officials are urging immediate action as rivers overflow their banks, threatening homes, infrastructure, and lives in dozens of cities nationwide.
The Midwest and Ohio Valley are experiencing catastrophic conditions, with communities near Lima and Defiance, Ohio facing unprecedented danger as the Ottawa River surges to nearly 30,000% of normal flow and the Shade River reaches an apocalyptic 94,000% above typical levels. In Sandusky, Ohio, streamflow has exploded to 13,000% of normal, while Fremont faces similar extreme conditions along the Sandusky River. Cities including Fort Wayne, Indiana and Toledo, Ohio are bracing for devastating impacts along the swollen Maumee River system, where water levels have surged over 4,400% above normal. The Wabash River near Bluffton, Indiana is running at 12,000% of normal, threatening widespread inundation. Meanwhile, Iowa communities including Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and Iowa City face extreme danger as the Cedar and Iowa Rivers reach critical levels, with some watersheds experiencing flows over 1,700% above normal.
The crisis extends nationwide as multiple threats converge. In California, Governor Newsom has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Polo threatens to enhance Southwest flooding, with the Santa Clara and Santa Ana Rivers near San Jose and Los Angeles already running at 4,900% and 3,800% of normal respectively. Pennsylvania communities including Williamsport, Lock Haven, and Pittsburgh face severe flooding along the Susquehanna and Ohio River systems, with some tributaries exceeding 3,500% of normal flow. A developing nor'easter is set to compound flooding concerns from New Jersey through New England this weekend, bringing coastal inundation, beach erosion, and additional rainfall to already saturated regions. Texas communities near Houston along the Buffalo-San Jacinto watershed face flows nearly 3,000% above normal, while the Cheyenne River near Rapid City, South Dakota has surged to an astounding 25,700% of typical levels. Emergency officials warn that this multi-pronged flooding event could rival historic disasters, urging residents in affected areas to monitor local alerts, prepare evacuation plans, and never attempt to drive through flooded roadways.
Rivers currently flooding or rising
Live USGS streamgauge readings aggregated by river. Percent-of-normal compares current flow to the seasonal average.
| River | Observed (cfs) | Seasonal avg (cfs) | vs. Normal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sangamon River | 254 | 24 | ↑ 1052% of normal |
| Clarion River | 2,040 | 239 | ↑ 854% of normal |
| Black Warrior River | 2,080 | 3,570 | 58% of normal |
| Cheyenne River | 427 | 2 | ↑ 25723% of normal |
| Suwannee River | 8,830 | 12,100 | 73% of normal |
| Edwards River | 973 | 68 | ↑ 1432% of normal |
| Powell River | 457 | 59 | ↑ 781% of normal |
| Wapsipinicon River | 12,100 | 843 | ↑ 1435% of normal |
| Root River | 2,477 | 41 | ↑ 5978% of normal |
| Little Miami River | 348 | 33 | ↑ 1067% of normal |
| Lackawaxen River | 1,350 | 171 | ↑ 789% of normal |
| Olentangy River | 714 | 78 | ↑ 919% of normal |
| Delaware River | 1,790 | 189 | ↑ 950% of normal |
| Samish River | 15 | 28 | 53% of normal |
| Wichita River | 510 | 4 | ↑ 11860% of normal |
| Straight River | 1,680 | 85 | ↑ 1976% of normal |
| Nodaway River | 2,800 | 185 | ↑ 1514% of normal |
| North Raccoon River | 157 | 24 | ↑ 654% of normal |
| English River | 5,460 | 32 | ↑ 17036% of normal |
| Hocking River | 7,010 | 82 | ↑ 8507% of normal |
| Shade River | 8,900 | 9 | ↑ 94180% of normal |
| Deep River | 696 | 35 | ↑ 2012% of normal |
| Menomonee River | 237 | 33 | ↑ 712% of normal |
| Cumberland River | 3,020 | 107 | ↑ 2836% of normal |
| Wabash River | 8,700 | 71 | ↑ 12185% of normal |
| Cedar River | 54,864 | 5,434 | ↑ 1010% of normal |
| Tiffin River | 697 | 46 | ↑ 1515% of normal |
| Tombigbee River | 6,434 | 6,905 | 93% of normal |
| Blue Earth River | 1,920 | 151 | ↑ 1272% of normal |
| Little Calumet River | 709 | 42 | ↑ 1688% of normal |
| Little Auglaize River | 1,830 | 50 | ↑ 3653% of normal |
| Little Muskingum River | 4,580 | 7 | ↑ 62912% of normal |
| Blanchard River | 4,810 | 64 | ↑ 7571% of normal |
| Teton River | 266 | 20 | ↑ 1330% of normal |
| North Canadian River | 347 | 28 | ↑ 1228% of normal |
| Iowa River | 80,680 | 4,927 | ↑ 1638% of normal |
| Buckhannon River | 3,580 | 47 | ↑ 7666% of normal |
| North Skunk River | 4,510 | 46 | ↑ 9709% of normal |
| Ottawa River | 1,360 | 5 | ↑ 29890% of normal |
| Gauley River | 2,360 | 133 | ↑ 1774% of normal |
| Little Colorado River | 2,840 | 251 | ↑ 1131% of normal |
| Yellow River | 212 | 28 | ↑ 767% of normal |
| Watonwan River | 231 | 38 | ↑ 603% of normal |
| Stillwater River | 3,200 | 45 | ↑ 7191% of normal |
| Scioto River | 98,030 | 2,492 | ↑ 3934% of normal |
| Raccoon River | 1,310 | 193 | ↑ 679% of normal |
| Youghiogheny River | 2,830 | 118 | ↑ 2397% of normal |
| Williams River | 617 | 37 | ↑ 1668% of normal |
| Conemaugh River | 4,130 | 562 | ↑ 735% of normal |
| Neosho River | 218 | 19 | ↑ 1150% of normal |
| Cranberry River | 274 | 24 | ↑ 1149% of normal |
| Blackwater River | 695 | 25 | ↑ 2786% of normal |
| Little River | 176 | 3 | ↑ 6567% of normal |
| Maumee River | 35,800 | 802 | ↑ 4467% of normal |
| Green River | 330 | 427 | 77% of normal |
| Casselman River | 1,606 | 87 | ↑ 1841% of normal |
| Thief River | 587 | 70 | ↑ 835% of normal |
| Middle Fork River | 977 | 25 | ↑ 3862% of normal |
| Kishwaukee River | 1,500 | 179 | ↑ 840% of normal |
59 rivers are running elevated right now. Create a free account to see the full list, follow your rivers, and get alerts.
Create Free AccountWatersheds running elevated
Aggregated by HUC8 watershed code. Useful for catchment-level flood-risk assessment.
| HUC8 code | Watershed | Observed (cfs) | vs. Normal |
|---|---|---|---|
| h15020002 | Upper Little Colorado | 171 | ↑ 285000% |
| h03110205 | Lower Suwannee | 8,830 | 73% |
| h12040104 | Buffalo-San Jacinto | 204 | ↑ 2914% |
| h07040002 | Cannon | 1,680 | ↑ 1976% |
| h05030106 | Upper Ohio-Wheeling | 2,321 | ↑ 3020% |
| h02050201 | Upper West Branch Susquehanna | 3,770 | ↑ 1035% |
| h05030101 | Upper Ohio | 792 | ↑ 639% |
| h03080103 | Lower St. Johns | 103,366 | 76% |
| h07080106 | North Skunk | 4,510 | ↑ 9709% |
| h07080105 | South Skunk | 560 | ↑ 3446% |
| h07080104 | Flint-Henderson | 973 | ↑ 1432% |
| h07080103 | Lower Wapsipinicon | 12,100 | ↑ 1435% |
| h07100009 | Lower Des Moines | 22,532 | ↑ 3654% |
| h07100008 | Lake Red Rock | 808 | ↑ 2313% |
| h05070201 | Tug | 304 | ↑ 9838% |
| h07100004 | Middle Des Moines | 4,440 | ↑ 824% |
| h07100006 | North Raccoon | 1,467 | ↑ 676% |
| h04100011 | Sandusky | 1,130 | ↑ 12951% |
| h11070201 | Neosho Headwaters | 218 | ↑ 1150% |
| h05050005 | Gauley | 3,251 | ↑ 1677% |
| h05050007 | Elk | 3,120 | ↑ 4023% |
| h09020304 | Thief | 587 | ↑ 835% |
| h17110002 | Strait Of Georgia | 15 | 53% |
| h15020016 | Lower Little Colorado | 2,840 | ↑ 1131% |
| h04100007 | Auglaize | 3,190 | ↑ 5837% |
| h04100004 | St. Marys | 22,960 | ↑ 20610% |
| h04100005 | Upper Maumee | 11,100 | ↑ 4066% |
| h05010008 | Kiskiminetas | 1,080 | ↑ 1123% |
| h05010005 | Clarion | 2,040 | ↑ 854% |
| h05010007 | Conemaugh | 4,972 | ↑ 800% |
| h05010006 | Middle Allegheny-Redbank | 2,928 | ↑ 1267% |
| h05010003 | Middle Allegheny-Tionesta | 1,000 | ↑ 800% |
| h04100009 | Lower Maumee | 24,700 | ↑ 4674% |
| h04040001 | Little Calumet-Galien | 2,163 | ↑ 1084% |
| h04040003 | Milwaukee | 237 | ↑ 712% |
| h04040002 | Pike-Root | 2,477 | ↑ 5978% |
| h02050304 | Lower Juniata | 555 | ↑ 742% |
| h02050301 | Lower Susquehanna-Penns | 383 | ↑ 1101% |
| h05020004 | Cheat | 695 | ↑ 2786% |
| h02050303 | Raystown | 316 | ↑ 1127% |
| h02050302 | Upper Juniata | 263 | ↑ 2798% |
| h03160113 | Lower Black Warrior | 2,080 | 58% |
| h18070102 | Santa Clara | 403 | ↑ 4951% |
| h05020006 | Youghiogheny | 5,367 | ↑ 2186% |
| h07070003 | Castle Rock | 212 | ↑ 767% |
| h05020005 | Lower Monongahela | 521 | ↑ 971% |
| h05020003 | Upper Monongahela | 513 | ↑ 3538% |
| h05020001 | Tygart Valley | 5,360 | ↑ 6091% |
| h07080205 | Middle Cedar | 19,060 | ↑ 831% |
| h07080206 | Lower Cedar | 34,600 | ↑ 1206% |
| h07080207 | Upper Iowa | 480 | ↑ 1521% |
| h18070203 | Santa Ana | 310 | ↑ 3801% |
| h07080201 | Upper Cedar | 2,430 | ↑ 2017% |
| h07120007 | Lower Fox | 906 | ↑ 2867% |
| h07120006 | Upper Fox | 4,481 | ↑ 925% |
| h07120004 | Des Plaines | 5,811 | ↑ 1498% |
| h07120003 | Chicago | 559 | ↑ 880% |
| h07080209 | Lower Iowa | 71,847 | ↑ 1773% |
| h04050002 | Black-Macatawa | 376 | ↑ 1025% |
| h03160106 | Middle Tombigbee-Lubbub | 1,004 | 65% |
| h12030108 | Richland | 466 | ↑ 5210% |
| h05080001 | Upper Great Miami | 6,113 | ↑ 6489% |
| h05080002 | Lower Great Miami | 453 | ↑ 1922% |
| h05080003 | Whitewater | 399 | ↑ 2830% |
| h05120203 | Eel | 322 | ↑ 2477% |
| h10240010 | Nodaway | 2,800 | ↑ 1514% |
| h11100301 | Middle North Canadian | 347 | ↑ 1228% |
| h02050204 | Bald Eagle | 1,942 | ↑ 796% |
| h18100200 | Salton Sea | 321 | ↑ 1084% |
| h07020011 | Le Sueur | 4,870 | ↑ 6750% |
| h07020010 | Watonwan | 231 | ↑ 603% |
| h03160201 | Middle Tombigbee-Chickasaw | 5,430 | 101% |
| h10270103 | Delaware | 1,790 | ↑ 950% |
| h11130206 | Wichita | 510 | ↑ 11860% |
| h07080107 | Skunk | 1,120 | ↑ 6188% |
| h03180002 | Middle Pearl-Strong | 435 | ↑ 7909% |
| h17110012 | Lake Washington | 21 | 79% |
| h07090006 | Kishwaukee | 3,554 | ↑ 1390% |
| h17110013 | Duwamish | 330 | 77% |
| h05040001 | Tuscarawas | 734 | ↑ 1870% |
| h05040004 | Muskingum | 259 | ↑ 3985% |
| h05040005 | Wills | 268 | ↑ 6381% |
| h05040006 | Licking | 1,921 | ↑ 7260% |
| h06010206 | Powell | 457 | ↑ 781% |
| h07020009 | Blue Earth | 1,920 | ↑ 1272% |
| h05090203 | Middle Ohio-Laughery | 678 | ↑ 1493% |
| h05090202 | Little Miami | 2,580 | ↑ 4453% |
| h05090201 | Ohio Brush-Whiteoak | 910 | ↑ 13684% |
| h07080208 | Middle Iowa | 18,138 | ↑ 1732% |
| h05120101 | Upper Wabash | 8,700 | ↑ 12185% |
| h11140302 | Lower Sulphur | 1,270 | ↑ 3273% |
| h05060002 | Lower Scioto | 76,560 | ↑ 4188% |
| h05060003 | Paint | 7,290 | ↑ 6022% |
| h05060001 | Upper Scioto | 31,607 | ↑ 3329% |
| h02040103 | Lackawaxen | 1,350 | ↑ 789% |
| h05130101 | Upper Cumberland | 3,020 | ↑ 2836% |
| h04100008 | Blanchard | 5,076 | ↑ 7647% |
| h03020201 | Upper Neuse | 176 | ↑ 6567% |
| h10120106 | Angostura Reservoir | 427 | ↑ 25723% |
| h07130006 | Upper Sangamon | 254 | ↑ 1052% |
| h07060006 | Maquoketa | 2,020 | ↑ 740% |
| h04100006 | Tiffin | 697 | ↑ 1515% |
| h05030204 | Hocking | 7,777 | ↑ 7746% |
| h05030201 | Little Muskingum-Middle Island | 12,120 | ↑ 35356% |
| h05030203 | Little Kanawha | 2,950 | ↑ 16353% |
| h05030202 | Upper Ohio-Shade | 8,900 | ↑ 94180% |
| h10030203 | Marias | 266 | ↑ 1330% |
| h05130202 | Lower Cumberland-Sycamore | 4,860 | ↑ 607% |
| h07130001 | Lower Illinois-Senachwine Lake | 1,220 | ↑ 9569% |
109 watersheds are running elevated. Create a free account to see every basin.
Create Free AccountMonitoring & response toolkit
Everything on this page links into Snoflo’s gauge-level data — drill from a national view down to the readings on a single river.
Gauge-level flow reports
Every USGS streamgauge by state — live discharge, gage height, NWS flood stages, and the complete observation history.
Browse gauges →15-day flow forecasts
PULSE probabilistic outlooks on every gauge — median, likely range, and projected stage, refreshed daily.
How PULSE works →Engineering data & reports
Flow-duration statistics, observed peak context, CSV exports, and printable conditions reports for any gauge and date range.
Snoflo for Engineering →Interactive national map
Layer gauges, warnings, watersheds, rain, and recreation across the country on one map.
Open the map →What causes river flooding
Flooding is rarely a single-cause event — multiple factors usually compound. The most common drivers across the U.S.
Heavy rainfall
Persistent rain saturates soils and overwhelms drainage networks. Tropical systems and atmospheric rivers are the worst culprits.
Rapid snowmelt
Spring melt pulses can deliver months of accumulated water in days — especially when warm rain falls on existing snowpack.
Ice jams
Breakup ice can block channels, forcing water to back up and inundate upstream banks. Common on northern rivers in early spring.
Storm surge
Coastal hurricanes push seawater inland. Surge combined with rainfall is the deadliest flood scenario in U.S. history.
Reservoir releases
Controlled dam releases can dramatically increase downstream flow. USACE and USBR publish release schedules, but conditions change fast.
Burn scars
Wildfire-stripped slopes can't absorb rainfall — even modest storms produce dangerous flash floods on burned watersheds for years afterward.
Flood preparedness checklist
Floodwaters rise faster than most people expect. The basics that save lives.
Flood map & river monitoring FAQ
What does "percent of normal" mean?
The current flow at a gauge compared to its seasonal average for this date. 100% means flow is right at the historical norm. 200%+ means twice the typical flow — a strong indicator of flood conditions on small-to-medium rivers. Every gauge-level flow report shows its live percent-of-normal.
What's the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning?
Watch: conditions are favorable for flooding within the next 12–48 hours. Warning: flooding is happening or imminent. Both come from the National Weather Service. Snoflo overlays both as toggleable layers on the map above.
How often does Snoflo's data refresh?
USGS streamgauge readings update every 15 minutes; we re-pull every hour. NWS warning polygons update as the NWS issues them — usually within 5 minutes. FEMA flood zones are static (the National Flood Hazard Layer is updated quarterly).
What is the FEMA flood zone layer?
FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) shows the 1%-annual-chance ("100-year") and 0.2%-annual-chance ("500-year") floodplains. These are based on long-term hydrologic modeling, not current conditions. Useful for property risk; not a real-time signal.
Can I get an alert when my local river floods?
Yes. Save any USGS gauge as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a threshold (e.g. "alert me at 20 ft stage"), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses. Free with a Snoflo account.
Is Snoflo a substitute for official warnings?
No. Snoflo is informational. For life-safety decisions always follow guidance from local emergency management, the NWS, and law enforcement.
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