On Tuesday, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration announced that a huge snowpack from a fierce winter will cause massive flooding this spring in the upper Midwest and in the major corn-producing state of Iowa.

Jane Lubchenco told reporters in a briefing while presenting the government's spring flood risk outlook that, "we are looking at potentially historic flooding in some parts of the country this spring."

Reuters reports that, "the snowpack in the Midwest is 'more extensive than in 2009, 'with preciptation in December up to four lines above average, NOAA said."

Lubchenco said, "it's a terrible case of deja vu, but this time the flooding will likely be more widespread. As the spring ten melts the snowpack, saturated and frozen ground in the Midwest will exacerbate the flooding of the flat terrain and feed rising rivers and streams."

The Red River Valley in Minnesota may be at particular risk, with NOAA officials explaining that it was unusual that the region would face the threat of severe floods for a second consecutive year.

According to Reuters, "the Red River runs north, dividing North Dakota and Minnesota, before running through the flat southern plains of the Canadian province of Manitoba. The U.S. side of the valley is planted for wheat, soybeans and other crops. The Red River area is also the top growing region for sugar beets in the country.

On Tuesday at the Chicago Board of Trade, soybean and wheat futures rose but the rally was instigated by fears of a strike among soy laborers in Argentina and support from a weaker dollar that dollar-denominated commodities cheaper for the holder of the currencies.

To read the entire article from Reuters, link here:

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