(Radio Iowa) — It’s said April showers bring May flowers, but after Iowa’s snowiest February on record, March showers bring widespread flooding. Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff, at the National Weather Service, says there are flood watches and warnings all across the Iowa map and some roads are already barricaded off due to the high water. “We’ve got several areas that are forecast to go into either minor or moderate flooding,” Hagenhoff says. “Luckily, we’re not seeing that quite yet, other than in a few locations, but definitely with the continued snowmelt that we’re seeing and extra rainfall today, it’s only going to enhance that.”
Some waterways in southwest Iowa and across much of eastern Iowa have already seen water levels double in the past 24 hours. “The areas we’re really most concerned about are where we’re looking at ice jam potential,” Hagenhoff says. “Those can be especially hazardous just because they can happen fairly quickly with rapid rises and you don’t get a lot of warning.” Indianola and Ottumwa had flash flooding due to ice jams on Tuesday. Other areas of particular concern for ice jams include Marshalltown, Fort Dodge, Van Meter and north of Waterloo. The forecast calls for much warmer weather today (Wednesday), with high temperatures in the upper 40s in northern Iowa to near 60 in southern Iowa. Hagenhoff says there’s still deep snowpack in parts of the state. “We’re pushing ten to 15 inches across portions of northern Iowa,” Hagenhoff says. “Those areas will be a little cooler today but certainly, we’re expecting to see quite a bit of snowmelt all the way through central Iowa. Southern Iowa has seen a lot of melting already and in many cases, their snowpack has completely disappeared.”
The National Weather Service is again posting warnings to motorists approaching flooded waterways, telling them to “Turn around, don’t drown.” “The biggest thing is just to be aware,” she says. “If you can’t see the road through the water, it’s probably a good idea to just turn around and find a different route. You never know how deep it is or what the road conditions are like under that water.” Even in areas where the snow is already long gone, Hagenhoff says there’s concern about flooding as waterways are swelling with runoff from snowmelt upriver.
Counties: Mills IA-Shelby IA-Monona IA-Pottawattamie IA-Montgomery IA- Fremont IA-Harrison IA-Page IA
941 AM CDT WED MAR 13 2019 The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a * Flood Warning for… Rain and Snowmelt until 1230 PM CDT.
* At 935 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain overspreading the region that will cause flooding. The rain combined with snowmelt and frozen ground will result in flooding of low-lying areas and a rapid increase in area streams and rivers.
* Some locations that will experience flooding include… Omaha, Council Bluffs, Red Oak, Clarinda, Glenwood, Shenandoah and Harlan.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.
The City of Denison has activated the flood call out procedure for businesses along highway 30 and 7th St. Officials say the North Boyer River is at 14’ (6’ below flood stage). The East Boyer is over 2/3 full and there’s a lot more rain coming. A Flood Watch remains in effect for Crawford and other counties in western and southwest Iowa through 7-p.m. Thursday.
The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a Flood Warning for Rain and Snowmelt in Central Shelby County until 6:30-p.m. today (Wednesday).
* At 630 AM CDT, a reporting gauge near Harlan on the West Nishnabotna River was reporting levels just below flood stage but rising very fast. Flooding could likely begin in the area shortly.
Up to one half inch of rain has already fallen. Some locations that will experience flooding include…Harlan, Irwin, Kirkman and Nishna Bend Recreation Area.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. All interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately.
As heavy rains move in and snow melt continues, the potential for river flooding begins. Officials in Pottawattamie County are preparing for what the National Weather Service has described as a flood event that has historic potential, primarily along the West Nishnabotna River. Levels at the Missouri River are forecast to reach a potential 29 feet in minor flood stage by 7am Saturday morning, similar to events observed last summer. The Nishnabotna is forecast to crest at just over 26 feet in major flood stage by 1am Thursday, topping the 23.5 foot record set in July of 1993.
Pott. County EMA
Doug Reed, Pott. County Director of Emergency Management, says “There are many variables in this scenario that will impact the river levels. With existing snow pack, frozen ground, and varying ranges of potential rainfall this event could go either way – however, we need to be prepared for the worst-case potential.” In doing so, a Declaration of Disaster Emergency has been authorized for the communities of Avoca, Hancock, Oakland, Carson, Macedonia, Council Bluffs, and unincorporated areas of Pottawattamie County as a preemptive measure should any of the jurisdictions require assistance from mutual aid partners or state agencies based on actual observed conditions.
Currently, county and city agencies are preparing to secure storm sewer systems, roads, and other infrastructure that may be impacted. Urban streets are likely to experience flooding during the heavy rain event and some rural highways and roads near and around the Nishnabotna River could be closed due to floodwaters. Pottawattamie County Conservation is working to relocate the Botna Bend Park buffalo herd to a safer location and moving the elk herd to a higher elevation within the park. Emergency Management has been coordinating additional resource support with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management should they be needed and coordinating preparedness efforts with partners such as MidAmerican Energy and others.
Residents and people with interests along the rivers are advised to begin monitoring river conditions and prepare accordingly. With frozen ground conditions creating higher runoff than normal, river levels have the potential to rise more rapid than in normal high water and flooding events. For more information on flood preparedness, visit the Floods and Flash Floods page at www.beready.iowa.gov. To receive emergency weather warnings and community alerts such as evacuations, shelter locations, and other emergency notices, sign up for free alerts from Pottawattamie Alert, part of the Alert Iowa Network, at www.pottcounty-ia.gov.
A DENSE FOG ADVISORY remains in effect for the listening until early this afternoon. And a WIND ADVISORY is in effect from 10-a.m. today (Wednesday) until 7-p.m. Visibility of less then 1/4 of a mile or less can be expected through mid-morning. SE winds of 25-35 mph gusting up to 45 mph are expected by late this morning into the early evening hours.
The very dense fog will impact the morning commute and cause tricky travel at times. Even in daylight, please use low beam headlights and allow extra space between you and the vehicle ahead of you. Gusty winds may make travel difficult for high-profile vehicles later today, especially during the evening commute.
A Wind Advisory means that sustained winds of 30 mph or wind gusts of 45 mph or greater are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a
* Flood Warning for…Rain and Snowmelt in… Northeastern Mills County and South central Pottawattamie County....Until 445 PM CDT Wednesday.
* At 443 AM CDT, a reporting gauge near Henderson on the West Nishnabotna River was reporting stages slightly above flood stage. Flooding will likely continue in the area today.
* Some locations that will experience flooding include…Macedonia, Henderson and Old Town Park.
The Flood Warning continues for The West Nishnabotna River At Hancock. from early this morning to Friday afternoon…or until the warning is cancelled.
* At 4:15 AM Wednesday the stage was 14.1 feet…or 0.1 feet above flood stage. * Flood stage is 14.0 feet.
* Minor flooding is occurring and Record flooding is forecast.
* Forecast…The river will continue rising to near 24.3 feet by after midnight tomorrow. The river will fall below flood stage late tomorrow evening.
* Impact…at 24.0 feet…The top of the berm protecting the lagoons for the city of Hancock are overtopped.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding. A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. All interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately.
410 AM CDT Wed Mar 13 2019 …River flooding and Significant Ponding Water Likely This Week Due to Snowmelt and Expected Rainfall… .The combination of warmer temperatures and forecast total rainfall amounts of one to near two inches is going to lead to a rapid snow melt across much of central Iowa. Significant ponding of water in low lying, poor drainage is likely, potentially impacting roads and travel. Periods of rainfall are likely today into Thursday, with the highest totals occurring today into this evening. The runoff from the snowmelt and rain will lead to significant rises on area streams. Ice jam flooding may occur, creating rapid rises upstream of the jams. Minor to moderate river flooding is possible by Thursday and into the weekend.
Sac-Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union- Taylor-Ringgold-Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont- Page Counties: FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING… Rapid snowmelt and rainfall is expected to lead to significant ponding of water in low lying, poor drainage areas. The added water and the potential for ice jams may lead to significant rises on rivers and streams. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. If you live in ice jam flood prone areas, be aware of potential significant rises on area streams through Thursday. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
359 AM CDT Wed Mar 13 2019
FLOOD WATCH until this evening. Conditions across the area are primed for flooding potential due to lingering snow pack with 1 to 2 inches or more of water continuing to melt and mostly frozen grounds unable to absorb existing water. River forecasts include observed precipitation, as well as expected precipitation over the next 48 hours. At this time there is limited confidence associated with rainfall amounts and the location of predicted rainfall. If rainfall in the basin is less than predicted, the forecast river stage may not be reached. Conversely, if rainfall is more than predicted the river may crest higher. As the forecast becomes more certain, this watch will be either upgraded to a Flood Warning or canceled.
The Flood Watch continues for The East Nishnabotna River near Atlantic, or From Troublesome Creek near Atlantic…to Indian Creek near Lewis.
* Until this evening.
* At 3:00 AM Wednesday the stage was 11.2 feet, or 7.8 feet below Flood Stage.
* Flood Stage is 19.0 feet.
* No flooding is occurring and Minor flooding is forecast.
* Forecast…rise to Flood Stage this evening. Continue rising to
19.1 feet, or 0.1 feet above Flood Stage, this evening. Then begin
falling and go below Flood Stage this evening.
* There is limited confidence in this river forecast. Forecasts may change so monitor for updated information.
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