June 12, 2008 - Floods in the U.S. Midwest

Floods in the US Midwest

Heavy rains in early June 2008 soaked the U.S. Midwest, leaving swollen rivers in their wake. By June 10, 2008, the National Weather Service had issued flood warnings for numerous counties throughout Indiana and Illinois. The lower Wabash, White, and East Fork White watersheds had all been affected by the deluge, according to National Weather Service bulletins. On June 10, 2008, CBS News reported that authorities blamed the floods for 15 deaths.

The MODIS on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured the main image on June 8, 2008. If you move your mouse over it, you will see the same scene on May 28, 2008. These images use infrared and visible light to enhance the contrast between land and water. In these images, vegetation appears bright green, bare ground looks pinkish-tan, clouds look blue-white, and water appears bright blue. The Embarras, Wabash, White, and East Fork White Rivers are all swollen from the heavy rains.

Image Facts
Satellite: Aqua
Date Acquired: 06/10/2008 and 05/28/2008
Resolutions: 1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 7,2,1
Image Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC