Alert archive / Iowa / Flash Flood Warnings in 2008

Flash Flood Warning 101, NWS Des Moines, IA

June 14, 2008Polk County, Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this flash flood warning at Jun 14, 2008, 3:52 AM CDT for Polk County, Iowa. It was in force for 6 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued: Jun 14, 2008, 3:52 AM CDT (08:52 UTC)
Expired: Jun 14, 2008, 9:45 AM CDT
In force: 6 hr
Issued by: NWS Des Moines, IA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

County Polk County, IA

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 15 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:49 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 00:00Z, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 223 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: 2735 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 58 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 68 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
WGUS53 KDMX 140855
FFWDMX
IAC153-141445-
/O.NEW.KDMX.FF.W.0101.080614T0852Z-080614T1445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
352 AM CDT SAT JUN 14 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHERN POLK COUNTY IN CENTRAL IOWA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF DES MOINES...

* UNTIL 945 AM CDT

* AT 349 AM CDT...POLK COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED A 50 
FOOT WIDE LEVEE BREACH ALONG THE DES MOINES RIVER IN DES MOINES NEAR 
BIRDLAND PARK BETWEEN 6TH AVENUE AND NEW YORK AVENUE.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE THE BIRDLAND PARK AREA.

TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE IN THE VICINITY OF THIS AREA 
WATER COULD RAPIDLY RISE IN THIS AREA.

LAT...LON 4158 9380 4158 9379 4159 9379 4160 9380
      4171 9381 4171 9346 4151 9345 4152 9380
TIME...MOT...LOC 0852Z 180DEG 0KT 4163 9365

$$

DONAVON

4 follow-up statements

000 
WGUS73 KDMX 140949
FFSDMX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
444 AM CDT SAT JUN 14 2008

IAC153-141445-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0101.000000T0000Z-080614T1445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
POLK IA-
444 AM CDT SAT JUN 14 2008

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHERN POLK COUNTY...

AT 438 AM CDT...POLK COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONTINUED TO 
REPORTED A 50 FOOT WIDE LEVEE BREACH ALONG THE DES MOINES RIVER IN 
DES MOINES NEAR BIRDLAND PARK BETWEEN 6TH AVENUE AND NEW YORK AVENUE.

A MANDATORY EVACUATION IS IN PLACE FROM SAYLOR ROAD AND RIVER AND 
NORTH TO BECKWITH AVE. THOSE EVACUATING SHOULD GO TO HARDING MIDDLE 
SCHOOL AT 203 EAST EUCLID. THOSE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION SHOULD GO TO 
UNION PARK. LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING THAT UP TO 4 FEET OF WATER 
HAS ALREADY BEEN ENCOUNTERED.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE THE BIRDLAND PARK AREA.

TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE IN THE VICINITY OF THIS AREA 
WATER WILL CONTINUE TO RAPIDLY RISE IN THIS AREA.

LAT...LON 4158 9380 4158 9379 4159 9379 4160 9380
      4171 9381 4171 9346 4151 9345 4152 9380
TIME...MOT...LOC 0944Z 180DEG 0KT 4163 9365

$$

DONAVON

000 
WGUS73 KDMX 141108
FFSDMX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
601 AM CDT SAT JUN 14 2008

IAC153-141445-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0101.000000T0000Z-080614T1445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
POLK IA-
601 AM CDT SAT JUN 14 2008

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHERN POLK COUNTY...

AT 556 AM CDT...AT 438 AM CDT...POLK COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 
CONTINUED TO REPORT A LEVEE BREACH IN PROGRESS ALONG THE DES MOINES  
RIVER IN DES MOINES NEAR BIRDLAND PARK BETWEEN 6TH AVENUE AND NEW 
YORK AVENUE.

A MANDATORY EVACUATION REMAINS IN PLACE FROM SAYLOR ROAD AND 
RIVER...NORTH TO BECKWITH AVE. THOSE EVACUATING SHOULD GO TO HARDING 
MIDDLE SCHOOL AT 203 EAST EUCLID. THOSE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION 
SHOULD GO TO UNION PARK. 

THE POLK COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER REPORTS THAT HEAVY 
FLOODING IS EXPECTED IN THIS REGION. FLOODING WILL BE SEVERAL FEET 
DEEP IN PLACES.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE THE BIRDLAND PARK AREA.

TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE IN THE VICINITY OF THIS AREA 
WATER WILL CONTINUE TO RAPIDLY RISE IN THIS AREA.

LAT...LON 4158 9380 4158 9379 4159 9379 4160 9380
      4171 9381 4171 9346 4151 9345 4152 9380
TIME...MOT...LOC 1101Z 180DEG 0KT 4163 9365

$$

DONAVON

000 
WGUS73 KDMX 141221
FFSDMX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
718 AM CDT SAT JUN 14 2008

IAC153-141445-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0101.000000T0000Z-080614T1445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
POLK IA-
718 AM CDT SAT JUN 14 2008

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHERN POLK COUNTY...

AT 717 AM CDT...POLK COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONTINUED TO 
REPORT A LEVEE BREACH IN PROGRESS ALONG THE DES MOINES  RIVER IN DES 
MOINES NEAR BIRDLAND PARK BETWEEN 6TH AVENUE AND NEW YORK AVENUE.

A MANDATORY EVACUATION REMAINS IN PLACE FROM SAYLOR ROAD AND 
RIVER...NORTH TO BECKWITH AVE. THOSE EVACUATING SHOULD GO TO HARDING 
MIDDLE SCHOOL AT 203 EAST EUCLID. THOSE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION 
SHOULD GO TO UNION PARK. 

THE POLK COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER REPORTS THAT HEAVY 
FLOODING IS EXPECTED IN THIS REGION. FLOODING WILL BE SEVERAL FEET 
DEEP IN PLACES.

OFFICIALS REQUEST THAT THE PUBLIC STAY AWAY FROM THIS AREA. 
OFFICIALS ARE CONSTRUCTING A TEMPORARY BERM TO AID IN CONTAINING THE 
WATER. ANY ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC IN THIS AREA WILL ONLY DELAY PROGRESS. 
ONCE AGAIN STAY OUT OF THIS AREA

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE THE BIRDLAND PARK AREA.

TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE IN THE VICINITY OF THIS AREA 
WATER WILL CONTINUE TO RAPIDLY RISE IN THIS AREA.

LAT...LON 4158 9380 4158 9379 4159 9379 4160 9380
      4171 9381 4171 9346 4151 9345 4152 9380
TIME...MOT...LOC 1218Z 180DEG 0KT 4163 9365

$$

DONAVON

000 
WGUS73 KDMX 141355
FFSDMX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
854 AM CDT SAT JUN 14 2008

IAC153-141445-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0101.000000T0000Z-080614T1445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
POLK IA-
854 AM CDT SAT JUN 14 2008

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHERN POLK COUNTY...

AT 845 AM...A LEVEE BREACH ALONG THE DES MOINES RIVER IN DES MOINES 
NEAR BIRDLAND PARK BETWEEN 6TH AVENUE AND NEW YORK AVENUE CONTINUED 
TO POUR WATER INTO DES MOINES NEAR NORTH HIGH SCHOOL.  ATTEMPTS AT 
BUILDING ANOTHER LEVEE TO CONTAIN THE WATER ALONG SECOND AVENUE HAVE 
APPARENTLY FAILED WITH WATER STARTING TO MOVE EASTWARD BEYOND THAT 
POINT.  LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS HAVE REPORTED THAT WATER HAS INUNDATED 
THE SCHOOLS GROUNDS AND HAS ALSO MADE ITS WAY INTO THE SCHOOL.

A MANDATORY EVACUATION REMAINS IN PLACE FROM SAYLOR ROAD AND 
RIVER...NORTH TO BECKWITH AVE. THOSE EVACUATING SHOULD GO TO HARDING 
MIDDLE SCHOOL AT 203 EAST EUCLID. THOSE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION 
SHOULD GO TO UNION PARK. 

THE POLK COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER REPORTS THAT HEAVY 
FLOODING IS EXPECTED IN THIS REGION. FLOODING WILL BE SEVERAL FEET 
DEEP IN PLACES.

OFFICIALS REQUEST THAT THE PUBLIC STAY AWAY FROM THIS AREA. ANY 
ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC IN THIS AREA WILL ONLY DELAY PROGRESS. ONCE 
PLEASE AGAIN STAY OUT OF THIS AREA

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE THE BIRDLAND PARK AREA.

TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE IN THE VICINITY OF THIS AREA 
WATER WILL CONTINUE TO RAPIDLY RISE IN THIS AREA.


LAT...LON 4158 9380 4158 9379 4159 9379 4160 9380
      4171 9381 4171 9346 4151 9345 4152 9380
TIME...MOT...LOC 1347Z 180DEG 0KT 4163 9365

$$

SMALL

The office that day

Everything else NWS Des Moines, IA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jun 13, 9:29 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	DMX	Polk	38 hr
Jun 14, 9:36 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	DMX	Polk	6 hr
Jun 14, 1:33 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Marshall, Story	42 min
Jun 14, 2:12 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Black Hawk, Grundy	48 min
Jun 14, 2:14 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Grundy, Hardin, Marshall, Tama	61 min
Jun 14, 2:35 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	DMX	Marshall, Tama	40 min
Jun 14, 3:00 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Black Hawk, Bremer	13 min
Jun 14, 3:15 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Tama	15 min
Jun 14, 3:58 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Tama	27 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Iowa, 2008 Every flash flood warning in 2008

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.