NOAA and National Weather Service 2025 Spring Flood Outlook #1
Understanding the latest flood outlook can help us take proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure safety.
As we approach the spring of 2025, flood preparedness remains a crucial topic for communities, homeowners, and businesses alike.
This year's forecast, released by the National Weather Service (NWS) for Central and South-Central Nebraska as well as North-Central Kansas, provides valuable insights into expected flood conditions and key contributing factors.
Overview of the 2025 Spring Flood Risk
The overall spring flood risk for the region is forecasted to be below normal. Several factors contribute to this assessment, including a drier-than-average soil moisture profile, lower-than-usual seasonal snowfall, and near-to-below-normal streamflow levels. While there remains a near-to-below normal risk for ice jam flooding in late February and early March, the general outlook suggests a limited threat of widespread spring flooding.
Key Factors Influencing the 2025 Flood Outlook
The NWS report highlights several important factors that contribute to the flood risk assessment for this spring:
Local and Mountain Snowpack:
Local snow depth in the affected areas remains relatively shallow, with most locations recording only 2-5 inches of snow containing 0.10-0.40 inches of liquid equivalent.
Mountain snowpack in the North and South Platte River Basins is currently near to slightly below normal, meaning that snowmelt runoff contributing to river levels will likely be less significant than in wetter years.
Soil Moisture and Drought Conditions:
Soil moisture levels across the region are lower than normal, a key factor that helps reduce flood risks since dry soil can absorb excess precipitation.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report indicates that moderate drought conditions (D1) persist across much of the region, further reinforcing the ability of the ground to absorb additional moisture when spring arrives.
Streamflow and River Ice Conditions:
Current streamflow levels for most rivers in the area are running normal to below normal, reducing the likelihood of severe flooding from river overflow.
However, a short-term risk of ice jam flooding remains, particularly in the Platte and Loup Rivers. Cold temperatures over the next 7-10 days are expected to increase river ice formation, followed by a potential warm-up in late February that could cause ice movement and localized flooding.
Precipitation Trends and Long-Term Weather Outlook:
Over the past 90 days, precipitation trends have been mixed, with some regions experiencing above-normal rainfall (largely due to a wetter November), while others have remained below normal.
The three-month precipitation outlook for March through May shows no strong indicators of significantly above-normal precipitation, with a slight tendency toward drier-than-average conditions in the western part of the region.
What This Means for Flood Preparedness
While the overall risk of widespread spring flooding remains below normal, it is important to stay vigilant. Flooding can still occur, particularly from isolated heavy rainfall events or unexpected rapid snowmelt. Localized risks, such as ice jams along the Platte and Loup Rivers, should be closely monitored by residents and municipalities.
How Garrison Flood Control Can Assist in Flood Preparedness and Mitigation
At Garrison Flood Control, we understand that even in years with a lower overall flood risk, preparation is key. Flooding can strike unexpectedly, and having the right protection solutions in place can make all the difference.
We provide a variety of flood preparedness and protection solutions, including:
L-Shaped Flood Barriers for residential and commercial properties.
Temporary and Permanent Flood Walls to safeguard critical infrastructure.
Quick Deploying Solutions to manage localized flooding from sudden rain events.
With our extensive expertise and reliable flood control products, we help homeowners, businesses, and municipalities stay protected, no matter what the forecast predicts.
Stay Prepared, Stay Protected
Even though the Spring Flood Outlook 2025 suggests a below-normal flood risk, taking preventive action now ensures that you won’t be caught off guard. At Garrison Flood Control, we’re here to provide the best solutions to help you safeguard your property and community.
Flood Walls and Flood Barriers For Storm Season
Flood walls, engineered from robust materials like reinforced concrete or steel, can be permanently installed to provide year-round protection. Solutions such as Garrison’s Hammerhead Aluminum Flood Wall is able to utilize installed U-Channel posts on each side of a particular entryway allowing for aluminum planks to be slotted in providing various heights of flood protection.
The Hammerhead system allows for customizable lengths and heights to suit various protective needs, from residential properties to industrial sites. This flexibility ensures that specific flood protection requirements are met, whether guarding against riverine floods, flash floods, or hurricane-induced storm surges.
Benefits of the Hammerhead Aluminum Flood Plank System:
Durable Construction: The system is made from high-strength aluminum, ensuring excellent resistance to corrosion and wear, even in harsh environments.
Customizable: The Hammerhead Aluminum Flood Plank System can fit a variety of widths with center posts allowing for the connection of elongated flood protection.
Aesthetically Appealing: The sleek design of the aluminum planks ensures that the system blends seamlessly with its surroundings, minimizing visual impact on the protected property.
Quick Installation & Accessibility: Hammerhead’s individual aluminum planks can slot in and out of the U-Channel Posts easily which keeps your entryways accessible.
Another solution comes through Garrison’s Mayim Temporary Flood Barriers. These innovative flood barriers take advantage of a simple insert and lock connection system that allows you to connect multiple barrier panels in order to achieve your required flood protection length.
This innovative flood wall system consists of durable, and easy-to-assemble flood panels, making it an excellent choice for deployment against potential flood threats.
With Mayim, you are able to deploy protection up to 40 inches high. The ease of deployment allows you to save on the hassle of time and manual labor that often comes with traditional flood control methods.
Benefits of the Mayim Modular Flood Barrier Include:
Modular Design: The system can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing for quick deployment and convenient storage when not in use.
Stores Compactly: Rapid transportation and installation compared to other systems.
Customizable: These flood wall barriers can be configured to fit a variety of lengths or curves, ensuring maximum protection for a variety of property types and layouts.
Reusable: The Mayim Interlocking Flood Barrier offers excellent value since it can be reused well into the future compared to traditional sandbagging or other flood protection methods.
Watch The 2025 Spring Flood Preparedness Video
Contact Garrison Today and Start Preparing
Since its founding Garrison™ Flood Control has protected hundreds of homes, commercial properties and government facilities using our flood walls, flood logs, water diversion barriers, flood tubes, flood bags, and more.
Our systems are trusted by some of the most prestigious companies and government agencies and regularly selected by architects for their new build or renovation projects.
Start preparing now and contact a Flood Specialist today. Our team will work with you side by side in order to recommend the most ideal flood solutions to help keep you prepared and protected this coming hurricane season.
If you would like additional information about Garrison Flood Control Systems, please call 929-299-2099 or email sales@garrisonflood.com.