Iowa city braces for rising floodwater from Mississippi River

05:13

Surrounded by water: Mississippi River water levels continue to rise in Davenport, Iowa

Drone video from the Fox Flight Team shows the extent of flooding in Davenport, Iowa. FOX Weather's Robert Ray reports as the Mississippi River reaches major flood stage.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Snow melt from record snowpack in the Upper Midwest is causing flooding downstream along the Mississippi River.

In the Iowa city of Davenport, the Mighty Mississippi is currently just over 19 feet – well above the flood stage of 15 feet and even major flood stage at 18 feet. The National Weather Service estimates that number to rise to more than 21 feet by the end of the weekend. 

02:53

'Water should not be here': Mississippi River on the rise in Quad Cities

Water levels are approaching 20 feet in Davenport, Iowa and businesses are at risk for flooding. FOX Weather correspondent Robert Ray provides a closer look at streets inundated by floodwaters.

The record for the highest water level was 22.7 feet in 2019.

Water has already crept up past the river banks and covered some streets and parking lots. Drone footage of Modern Woodmen Park, home of the minor league baseball team the Quad Cities River Bandits, shows flooded sidewalks and streets around the property.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Many homes and businesses are using sandbags and military-grade flood barriers to try to keep the floodwaters at bay.

Flooding in Davenport, Iowa. 

(Robert Ray / FOX Weather)

"All these communities are preparing because of this snow melt that is coming down from Minnesota," said FOX Weather correspondent Robert Ray.

Back at the origin of the Mississippi River, Minnesota experienced record snowfall over the winter and into early spring.

03:26

Quad Cities brace for major flooding as Mississippi River water levels reach over 19 feet

Water levels on the Mississippi River at the Quad Cities in Iowa and Illinois have reached major flood stage. FOX Weather's Robert Ray reports from Davenport, IA where water levels rise.

In fact, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul had their third-snowiest winter with more than inches of snow. In northeast Minnesota, Duluth had its snowiest winter overall with more than 138 inches of snow.

MINNESOTA CITY BREAKS RECORD FOR SNOWIEST WINTER

Snowmelt from this record snow fall is expected to exacerbate flooding issues in Davenport, along with St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg, Mississippi, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and other cities downstream along the Mississippi River.