I haven't done a good job of telling you about the flooding in the Midwest this week, but here are some photos and maps to illustrate what's happened. The flooding was bad, but not as bad as 1993, which some had feared, because the rain didn't take place over a long period of time.
As of Sunday, major flooding was still occurring on the James River in North Dakota and the Missouri, Grand and Platte Rivers in Missouri. The map at right gives an overview; those links will show you river status and heights from The NWS [JessePedia]. None had reached record stage and most were trending steady or downward. CNN says: " The Missouri River neared its highest point in the state's capital city Saturday after a week of flooding towns upstream, but hydrologists said it wasn't nearly as bad as feared... It was short of the predicted 34-foot peak, which could have wiped out many farmers' crops for the year and inundated the Jefferson City Airport."

I particularly like this photo from Missouri, which I've uploaded as the Ap Photo of the Day (PREMIUM | PRO) and call "End of the Road".

Missouri Highway 65 north of the Missouri River Bridge at Waverly, Mo., sits closed and underwater as a thunderstorm passes by to the north, Thursday, May 10, 2007. (AP Photo*/Dan Gill)

Here are some past precipitation maps from the National Weather Service. The first two are 7-day precipitation totals through May 9th; the latter ones are 30-day precipitation through May 13th. CLICK THEM TO ENLARGE THE MAPS.

Other photos from Missouri and Kansas are available below. CLICK THEM TO ENLARGE THE PHOTOS.

CAPTIONS:

Farmland north of Waverly, Mo., is covered by floodwaters from the Missouri River on Thursday, May 10, 2007. Floodwaters rose still higher across northwest and central Missouri Thursday, leading nervous residents to remove valuables from their homes and fill sandbags to protect river communities. (AP Photo*/Dan Gill)

Flooding along the Missouri River is seen Tuesday, May 8, 2007, near St. Joseph, Mo. Several farm levies have failed but none of the Army Corp of Engineer levies have failed thus far. Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt toured the area in a Missouri National Guard helicopter Tuesday afternoon. (AP Photo*, Stephen Brooks)

Flood water from the Platte River closes Missouri 92 near Tracy, Mo., Thursday, May 10, 2007. Inmates joined the National Guard in sandbagging efforts Thursday as floodwater crept toward homes and businesses across northwest and central Missouri. (AP Photo*/Orlin Wagner)

Semi trucks are parked at a flooded truck stop, Monday, May 7, 2007, in Salina, Kan. Flooding along the Wakarusa River early Monday cut off its namesake community south of Topeka. Residents with boats rescued 22 people from their flooded homes, said Willie Peterman, a district chief for an area fire department. (AP Photo*/Charlie Riedel)

Part of the submerged statue "Captains Return" appears to be waving from the flood waters of the Mississippi River as it stands along the riverfront in St. Louis Friday, May 11, 2007. The flood waters from the Missouri River are flowing into the Mississippi River causing a rise in the Mississippi River flowing south. (AP Photo*/James A. Finley)

*Displayed through exclusive agreement with Associated Press, not for redistribution. Did you know? AccuWeather helps the AP sell the AP Photo Archive to schools and universities worldwide.

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