The annual Spring Flood Outlook has been released by the National Weather Service, and early indications are the risk is near or below normal across the region.

Senior Hydrologist Jeff Zogg with the National Weather Service says the annual road map to potential river flooding shows the ongoing drought, lack of snowpack across the Midwest, and indications for a somewhat dry start to the season overall have led to the lower chances for significant concerns.

However, Zogg says it doesn’t take much in the way of a few major storm systems to change the indication — whether that be heavy rainfall that impacts the local area or even upstream in the Dakotas or Minnesota. He says all residents — especially those who live closer to bodies of water or in floodplains, should be prepared for the hazards related to flooding, as it is most prevalent in the spring and summer months.

Find the full Spring Flood Outlook here, and listen for more about the process on today’s In Touch with South Central Iowa.