Heavy rain in Nebraska could push rivers out of their banks in Northwest Missouri today and Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, Mo.

Flood warnings were issued for the Missouri River at St. Joseph and at Atchison, Kan., Wednesday night.

According to the weather service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service Web site, the Missouri River will crest near St. Joseph at 24.4 feet on Saturday, with flood waters reaching 21 feet by Friday morning. Riverfront Park begins to flood when the river hits 21 feet, and some residential neighborhoods in northwestern St. Joseph could flood when water reaches 24 feet.

The Missouri River also is expected to flood near Rulo, Neb. The river could reach 22 feet before Friday morning — the level at which flood waters begin to threaten Big Lake. The river at Rulo is expected to crest Saturday at 23.2 feet.

Other rivers will flood as well. The Tarkio River has left its banks near Fairfax, Mo., and the Missouri State Highway Patrol has closed U.S. Highway 59 due to flooding. The 102 River near Maryville, Mo., could flood farmland east of its banks but is not expected to cause serious damage.

The Missouri Department of Transportation closed Missouri Route C in Atchison County Thursday morning due to high water over the road.

Area maintenance crews closed the road — near the Tarkio River and four miles east of Westboro — at 6:30 a.m.

Road closing signs have been posted on the route. Route C will remain closed until further notice and motorists should seek alternate routes.