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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