Des Moines, Iowa—The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for most of Iowa for this week.  The announcement was made Monday afternoon.

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
316 PM CDT Mon Mar 11 2019

...Fast Snowmelt and Rainfall Bringing Increased Flooding Risk
Later This Week...

.Milder air in the coming days will result in much if not all of
the existing snow on the ground to melt across central Iowa. In
addition, one to two inches of rain is expected Tuesday through
late Thursday as a strong, early spring storm moves into and
through the region. The runoff from the snowmelt and rain will
lead to ponding in low lying and poor drainage areas as well as
significant rises on streams and rivers later this week through
this weekend. Further, the milder air and rising water levels
will result in ice break up on area rivers and streams and may
lead to localized flooding due to ice jams middle to late this
week. Anyone living in low lying, poor drainage areas or along
streams or rivers should monitor for possible flooding later this
week and weekend.

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY
EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a

* Flood Watch for portions of central Iowa, north central Iowa,
  northeast Iowa, northwest Iowa, south central Iowa, southeast
  Iowa, southwest Iowa, and west central Iowa, including the
  following areas, in central Iowa, Boone, Dallas, Grundy,
  Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Story,
  Tama, and Webster. In north central Iowa, Butler, Cerro Gordo,
  Franklin, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, and
  Wright. In northeast Iowa, Black Hawk and Bremer. In northwest
  Iowa, Emmet, Palo Alto, and Pocahontas. In south central Iowa,
  Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion,
  Monroe, Ringgold, Union, Warren, and Wayne. In southeast Iowa,
  Davis and Wapello. In southwest Iowa, Adair, Adams, Cass, and
  Taylor. In west central Iowa, Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll,
  Crawford, Greene, Guthrie, and Sac.

* From Wednesday morning through Thursday evening

* Rapid snowmelt and expected rainfall will lead to significant
  rises on rivers and streams and the possibility of ice jams as
  well.

* Favored ice jam locations include the Des Moines River around
  Fort Dodge, the Raccoon River around Van Meter through Des
  Moines to the confluence of the Des Moines River, and the Iowa
  River around Marshalltown. Other locations are possible for ice
  jam flooding. Minor to moderate river flooding from snowmelt and
  rainfall is possible in some locations.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on
current forecasts.

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.

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