All of Iowa, Flooding

Heavy Rainfall Expected

Below is the Area Forecast Discussion from NWS Des Moines with regard to the heavy rainfall that is expected across not only their CWA, but statewide as well.

…HEAVY RAINFALL EXPECTED…WITH FLASH FLOODING…AND RENEWED OR EXTENDED RIVER FLOODING POSSIBLE BY EARLY NEXT WEEK…

ATTENTION IS NOW FOCUSING ON THE HYDROLOGIC RESPONSE FROM THE HEAVY RAINFALL THIS WEEKEND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. PRESENTLY ALL RIVER FORECASTS AND FLOOD WARNINGS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ONLY 24 HRS OF FORECAST RAINFALL. THE HEAVY RAINFALL WILL LEAD TO RENEWED OR PROLONGED RIVER FLOODING…AS WELL AS POSSIBLE FLASH FLOODING.

THE MOST LIKELY SCENARIO IS THAT THE HEAVY RAINFALL WILL DELAY THE FALLS OF MOST RIVERS…OR MAY RESULT IN MINOR SECONDARY CRESTS IN SOME LOCATIONS. AT SAYLORVILLE RESERVOIR…THIS MEANS THAT THE WATER MAY STOP FLOWING OVER THE EMERGENCY SPILLWAY LATER THAN THE CURRENT FORECAST OF LATE ON JULY 6TH. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THIS RAINFALL MAY ADD TO THE CREST ON THE LOWER DES MOINES RIVER FROM RED ROCK RESERVOIR DOWNSTREAM.

THERE IS ALSO A CONCERN OF FLASH FLOODING. PEOPLE PLANNING TO ENGAGE IN CAMPING OR OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND ARE URGED TO STAY CURRENT ON THE LATEST WEATHER FORECASTS…WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THE HEAVY RAINFALL MAY CAUSE FLASH FLOODING…LEADING TO RAPIDLY RISING WATER LEVELS ESPECIALLY ON CREEKS AND SMALLER STREAMS. PEOPLE SHOULD MAKE PLANS AHEAD OF TIME ON HOW AND WHERE TO EVACUATE IF HIGH WATER THREATENS THEIR AREA.

Of note, there is a Flash Flood Watch in effect until early this afternoon in Marion County, but this is with regard to a levee breach at the Des Moines River near IA Hwy 92. No homes are effected at this time and the water has been steady the last few hours in the area.