Many Rivers Above Flood Stage

All this rain is playing havoc on the rivers in Green Country. Many are above flood stage and forecasters are keeping a close eye on them. News On 6 anchor Terry Hood reports on which rivers the National Weather Service says face the biggest problems.

The rush of the river is a familiar sound in northeast Oklahoma.

"I catch a lot of flathead, blues, a lot of catfish," said Collinsville resident, Ernie Troglin.

For some, the rising river levels make for good sport.

"Right now it's real good fishing, but I'm pretty sure it's coming up right now," said Troglin.

Actually, the Caney River is on its way down. But, according to the National Weather Service, it's still well above where it should be.

"Right now it is about 27.7 feet, which is about 1.7 feet above flood stage at 25 feet," said James Paul, Hydrologist.

James Paul monitors river levels for the National Weather Service. Even he has a hard time finding the bank along the Caney.

"It is somewhere. Somewhere underneath those trees there on the edge there," said Paul.

Paul and his team are mostly concerned with five rivers in this part of the state. The Caney River and Bird Creek, closer to Tulsa. Farther north, they're watching the Neosho, Verdigris, and Spring Rivers.

"Most of northeast Oklahoma in the last week has received about five inches of rainfall, up to thirteen inches in southeast Kansas," said Paul.

Paul says this most recent rain has raised Bird Creek to a few inches below flood stage and anything more will cause it to crest.

Just last week the Caney overflowed into the local farmland. All five of the rivers are expected to recede throughout the night, but Paul worries about the storm around the bend.

"But, this next week we've got several more rain systems, just like we had last week. Depending on where and when they fall and how much falls, we could be back up there again," said Paul.

Visit the National Weather Service River Forecast Center to keep up with the rivers online.