The Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission (OFRPC) today announced the public launch of a new, high-tech Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) tool. This crucial resource, developed in partnership with the South Central Ozark Council of Governments (SCOCOG), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), provides communities along the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers with the ability to visualize and plan for potential flooding threats.
The new tool is designed to empower community leaders, emergency management officials, and the general public by offering detailed, predictive maps of flood extents based on various water levels.
"This collaborative effort represents a significant step forward in our regional disaster preparedness," said Amy Baugus OFRPC Project Officer. "By providing this granular, easy-to-access data, we are giving our communities the knowledge they need to plan ahead, protect property, and ultimately save lives when significant flooding events occur. The goal, supported by the USGS and CDBG funding, is to help plan for and mitigate future flood disasters."
The Flood Inundation Mapping tool is now publicly available on the USGS website. The interactive maps allow users to select a river gauge and view the corresponding flooded areas, helping with everything from pre-disaster planning to real-time emergency response.
The FIM tool provides specific mapping for the following river segments:
Current River at Montauk State Park, Missouri (07064440)
Current River above Akers, Missouri (07064533)
Current River above Powder Mill, Missouri (07066510)
Current River at Van Buren, Missouri (07067000)
Current River at Doniphan, Missouri (07068000)
Jacks Fork at Mountain View, Missouri (07065200)
Jacks Fork at Alley Spring, Missouri (07065495)
Jacks Fork at Eminence, Missouri (07066000)
Next Steps
The OFRPC will be conducting a close-out public hearing regarding this project in the near future to share project outcomes and receive public feedback. The date, time, and location of this hearing will be announced on the OFRPC's official website and social media channels at a later date.