Alert archive / Iowa / Flash Flood Warnings in 2009

Flash Flood Warning 2, NWS Des Moines, IA

February 11, 2009Tama County, Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this flash flood warning at Feb 11, 2009, 3:47 PM CST for Tama 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: Feb 11, 2009, 3:47 PM CST (21:47 UTC)
Expired: Feb 11, 2009, 9:45 PM CST
In force: 6 hr
Issued by: NWS Des Moines, IA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

County Tama County, IA

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 90 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:44 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

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 9.8 hours before the alert went out and 187 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: 6 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -41 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 440 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 64 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 12 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: -55 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 112147
FFWDMX
IAC171-120345-
/O.NEW.KDMX.FF.W.0002.090211T2147Z-090212T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
347 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  WEST CENTRAL TAMA COUNTY IN CENTRAL IOWA...

* UNTIL 945 PM CST

* AT 340 PM CST...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED FLASH   
FLOODING FROM ICE JAMS ALONG THE IOWA RIVER UPSTREAM OF THE CITY OF 
TAMA. LOCATIONS OF MOST CONCERN INCLUDE THE IOWA RIVER AT COUNTY 
HIGHWAY E49...AS WELL AS THE IOWA RIVER UPSTREAM OF THE U.S. HIGHWAY 
30 BRIDGE. QUICK RISES UPSTREAM OF ANY JAMMED ICE ARE LIKELY. IN 
ADDITION...FLASH FLOODING MAY OCCUR IN ADDITIONAL AREAS ALONG THE 
IOWA RIVER IN THE WARNED AREA...AS THE ICE JAMS BREAK UP AND FORM 
AGAIN.

MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. NEVER DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO
AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. FLOOD WATERS ARE USUALLY
DEEPER THAN THEY APPEAR. JUST ONE FOOT OF FLOWING WATER IS POWERFUL
ENOUGH TO SWEEP VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD. WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED
ROADS MAKE THE SMART CHOICE...TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.

LAT...LON 4201 9277 4204 9277 4200 9268 4196 9259
      4194 9260 4197 9269

$$

JAZ/LEE

6 follow-up statements

000 
WGUS73 KDMX 112245
FFSDMX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
445 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

IAC171-120345-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090212T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
TAMA IA-
445 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CST FOR WEST
CENTRAL TAMA COUNTY...

AT 435 PM CST...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED THAT FLASH 
FLOODING FROM ICE JAMS ALONG THE IOWA RIVER UPSTREAM OF TAMA 
CONTINUED. LOCATIONS OF MOST CONCERN INCLUDE THE IOWA RIVER AT 
COUNTY HIGHWAY E49...NEAR THE POW WOW GROUNDS...AS WELL AS THE IOWA 
RIVER UPSTREAM OF THE U.S. HIGHWAY 30 BRIDGE. THOUGH A RECENT 
OBSERVATION FROM THE HIGHWAY E49 BRIDGE SHOWED THAT THE RIVER HAS 
DROPPED SLIGHTLY...ADDITIONAL QUICK RISES UPSTREAM OF ANY JAMMED ICE 
ARE LIKELY. IN ADDITION...FLASH FLOODING MAY OCCUR ANYWHERE ALONG 
THE IOWA RIVER IN THE WARNED AREA...AS THE ICE JAMS BREAK UP AND 
FORM AGAIN.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE 
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS 
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

LAT...LON 4201 9277 4204 9277 4200 9268 4196 9259
      4194 9260 4197 9269

$$

MOYER

000 
WGUS73 KDMX 112344
FFSDMX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
544 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

IAC171-120345-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090212T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
TAMA IA-
544 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CST FOR WEST
CENTRAL TAMA COUNTY...

AT 540 PM CST...TAMA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED THAT 
FLASH FLOODING CONTINUED FROM ICE JAMS ALONG THE IOWA RIVER UPSTREAM 
OF TAMA. LOCATIONS OF MOST CONCERN INCLUDE THE IOWA RIVER 
AT COUNTY HIGHWAY E49...NEAR THE POW WOW GROUNDS...AS WELL AS THE 
IOWA RIVER UPSTREAM OF THE U.S. HIGHWAY 30 BRIDGE. A RECENT 
OBSERVATION FROM THE HIGHWAY E49 BRIDGE INDICATED THAT THE RIVER HAS 
RISEN SLIGHTLY SINCE 430 PM CST...AND ADDITIONAL QUICK RISES 
UPSTREAM OF ANY JAMMED ICE ARE LIKELY. IN ADDITION...FLASH FLOODING 
MAY OCCUR ANYWHERE ALONG THE IOWA RIVER IN THE WARNED AREA...AS THE 
ICE JAMS BREAK UP AND FORM AGAIN.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

TO REPORT FLOODING...HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELAY
YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE

LAT...LON 4201 9277 4204 9277 4200 9268 4196 9259
      4194 9260 4197 9269

$$

KINNEY

000 
WGUS73 KDMX 120043
FFSDMX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
643 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

IAC171-120345-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090212T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
TAMA IA-
643 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CST FOR WEST
CENTRAL TAMA COUNTY...

AT 640 PM CST...FLASH FLOODING CONTINUED FROM ICE JAMS ALONG THE 
IOWA RIVER UPSTREAM OF TAMA. LOCATIONS OF MOST CONCERN INCLUDE THE 
IOWA RIVER AT COUNTY HIGHWAY E49...NEAR THE POW WOW GROUNDS...AS 
WELL AS THE IOWA RIVER UPSTREAM OF THE U.S. HIGHWAY 30 BRIDGE. 
RECENT OBSERVATIONS FROM THE HIGHWAY E49 BRIDGE INDICATE THAT THE 
RIVER HAS BEEN FLUCTUATING SLIGHTLY THIS EVENING...AND ADDITIONAL 
QUICK RISES UPSTREAM OF ANY JAMMED ICE ARE POSSIBLE. IN 
ADDITION...FLASH FLOODING MAY OCCUR ANYWHERE ALONG THE IOWA RIVER IN 
THE WARNED AREA...AS THE ICE JAMS BREAK UP AND FORM AGAIN.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE
DANGERS OF FLOODING. IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED ACT QUICKLY. MOVE
UP TO HIGHER GROUND TO ESCAPE FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT STAY IN AREAS
SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN WATER BEGINS RISING.

LAT...LON 4201 9277 4204 9277 4200 9268 4196 9259
      4194 9260 4197 9269

$$

000 
WGUS73 KDMX 120200
FFSDMX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
800 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

IAC171-120345-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090212T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
TAMA IA-
800 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CST FOR WEST
CENTRAL TAMA COUNTY...

AT 745 PM CST...FLASH FLOODING CONTINUED FROM ICE JAMS ALONG THE 
IOWA RIVER UPSTREAM OF TAMA. LOCATIONS OF MOST CONCERN INCLUDE THE 
IOWA RIVER AT COUNTY HIGHWAY E49...NEAR THE POW WOW GROUNDS...AS 
WELL AS THE IOWA RIVER UPSTREAM OF THE U.S. HIGHWAY 30 BRIDGE. 
RECENT OBSERVATIONS FROM THE HIGHWAY E49 BRIDGE INDICATE THAT THE 
RIVER HAS BEEN FLUCTUATING SLIGHTLY THIS EVENING...AND ADDITIONAL 
QUICK RISES UPSTREAM OF ANY JAMMED ICE ARE POSSIBLE. IN 
ADDITION...FLASH FLOODING MAY OCCUR ANYWHERE ALONG THE IOWA RIVER IN 
THE WARNED AREA...AS THE ICE JAMS BREAK UP AND FORM AGAIN.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE
DANGERS OF FLOODING. IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED ACT QUICKLY. MOVE
UP TO HIGHER GROUND TO ESCAPE FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT STAY IN AREAS
SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN WATER BEGINS RISING.

LAT...LON 4201 9277 4204 9277 4200 9268 4196 9259
      4194 9260 4197 9269

$$

000 
WGUS73 KDMX 120312
FFSDMX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
912 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

IAC171-120345-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090212T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
TAMA IA-
912 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CST FOR WEST
CENTRAL TAMA COUNTY...

AT 900 PM CST...FLOODING CONTINUED FROM ICE JAMS ALONG THE IOWA 
RIVER UPSTREAM OF TAMA. LOCATIONS OF MOST CONCERN INCLUDE THE IOWA 
RIVER AT COUNTY HIGHWAY E49...NEAR THE POW WOW GROUNDS...AS WELL AS 
THE IOWA RIVER UPSTREAM OF THE U.S. HIGHWAY 30 BRIDGE. RECENT 
OBSERVATIONS FROM THE HIGHWAY E49 BRIDGE INDICATE THAT THE RIVER HAS 
BEEN FLUCTUATING UP AND DOWN SLIGHTLY THIS EVENING...AND ADDITIONAL 
QUICK RISES UPSTREAM OF ANY JAMMED ICE ARE POSSIBLE. IN 
ADDITION...FLASH FLOODING MAY OCCUR ANYWHERE ALONG THE IOWA RIVER IN 
THE WARNED AREA...AS THE ICE JAMS BREAK UP AND FORM AGAIN.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE
DANGERS OF FLOODING. IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED ACT QUICKLY. MOVE
UP TO HIGHER GROUND TO ESCAPE FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT STAY IN AREAS
SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN WATER BEGINS RISING.

LAT...LON 4201 9277 4204 9277 4200 9268 4196 9259
      4194 9260 4197 9269

$$

000 
WGUS73 KDMX 120403
FFSDMX

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
1003 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

IAC171-120430-
/O.EXP.KDMX.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090212T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
TAMA IA-
1003 PM CST WED FEB 11 2009

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR WEST CENTRAL TAMA 
COUNTY...

THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR THE AREA. THE WARNING HAS 
BEEN REPLACED BY A FLOOD WARNING FOR THE SAME LOCATIONS ALONG THE 
IOWA RIVER.

LAT...LON 4201 9277 4204 9277 4200 9268 4196 9259
      4194 9260 4197 9269

$$

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Feb 11, 3:23 AM CST	River Flood Warning	DMX	Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Worth	10 hr
Feb 11, 9:51 AM CST	Flash Flood Warning	DMX	Webster	6 hr
Feb 11, 3:22 PM CST	River Flood Warning	DMX	Boone, Webster	6 hr
Feb 11, 3:52 PM CST	River Flood Warning	DMX	Webster	5 hr
Feb 11, 3:52 PM CST	Winter Storm Watch	DMX	Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Boone, Carroll and 25 more	36 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Iowa, 2009 Every flash flood warning in 2009

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.