(Radio Iowa) — There are parts of Iowa that have been flooded since late March and they remain underwater, while forecasters say the flooding could last through May. This long-duration flooding is very uncommon, according to Wendy Pearson, deputy chief of Hydrologic Services at the National Weather Service Central Region Headquarters in Kansas City. She notes Iowa is far from alone in its misery.

“We still have moderate to major flooding continuing in portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas and Missouri,” Pearson says, “and of course, there are also sites further downstream on the Mississippi basin.” Pearson says the flood risks will continue well into the summer months, and she notes the entire region is still vulnerable.

“Due to the very wet soil conditions and the wet weather patterns, the lakes and rivers are elevated, even if we’re not indicating locations in moderate to major flooding,” Pearson says, “We want everyone to be aware, when we have convective storms in late spring and summer, those thunderstorms can cause additional flooding and flash flooding.”

All-time flood records were broken in southwestern Iowa along the Missouri River weeks ago while just this week, the Mississippi River exceeded its previous record high in Davenport, a high set that was set in the floods of 1993.