Alert archive / Iowa / Flash Flood Warnings in 2018
Flash Flood Warning 21, NWS Des Moines, IA
NWS Des Moines, IA issued this flash flood warning at Jun 30, 2018, 8:16 PM CDT for Dallas County, Polk County, Iowa. It was in force for 6 hr. 15 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Jun 30, 2018, 8:16 PM CDT (01:16 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 1, 2018, 2:15 AM CDT
- In force
- 6 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Des Moines, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Emergency
- Flash flood emergency
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Dallas County, IA, Polk County, IA
The radar
The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 13 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:18 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 30, 8:48 PM CDT | HEAVY RAIN 2.68 | 2 Ene Urbandale, IA | 2.68 INCHES OF RAIN MEASURED 8:47 PM. MULTIPLE CARS STALLED ON MEREDITH AVE. 8 OF WATER RUSHING DOWN 67TH STREET TO MEREDITH. |
| Jun 30, 8:49 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 2 Ene Urbandale, IA | 2.68 INCHES OF RAIN MEASURED 8:47 PM. MULTIPLE CARS STALLED ON MEREDITH AVE. 8 OF WATER RUSHING DOWN 67TH STREET TO MEREDITH. |
| Jun 30, 8:56 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 E Clive, IA | TRAINED SPOTTER IN CLIVE REPORTS WATER RUNNING OVER THE CURBS ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS SOUTH OF HICKMAN DRIVE. |
| Jun 30, 9:13 PM CDT | HEAVY RAIN 5.6 | 1 Se Johnston, IA | 5.6 INCHES VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. |
| Jun 30, 9:22 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 2 Sse Windsor Heights, IA | 63RD AND GRAND NEAR WEST DES MOINES REPORTED UNDERWATER VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. |
| Jun 30, 9:39 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | Saylorville, IA | MULTIPLE WATER RESCUES ACROSS ANKENY, JOHNSTON, DES MOINES AND URBANDALE. VEHICLES STALLED OUT IN STREET FLOODING WITH WATER HALF WAY UP THE DOORS OF THE CARS. |
| Jun 30, 9:42 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 2 Se Grimes, IA | WATER COVERING THE ROAD IN THE AREA. |
| Jun 30, 9:44 PM CDT | HEAVY RAIN 7.3 | 1 Nnw Windsor Heights, IA | REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. 7.3 INCHES REPORTED FROM URBANDALE. |
| Jun 30, 10:22 PM CDT | HEAVY RAIN 7.32 | 2 Ene Urbandale, IA | 7.32 INCHES AT 67TH AND MEREDITH IN URBANDALE AS OF 1022 PM. |
| Jun 30, 10:28 PM CDT | HEAVY RAIN 5.5 | 1 S Saylorville, IA | 5.5 INCHES SINCE 7:30 PM. |
| Jun 30, 10:41 PM CDT | HEAVY RAIN 6.5 | 1 Ese Altoona, IA | 6.5 INCHES IN ALTOONA SINCE 8 PM. |
| Jun 30, 10:44 PM CDT | HEAVY RAIN 7.1 | Johnston, IA | 7.1 INCHES OF RAIN IN JOHNSTON, IA AS OF 1043 PM CDT. |
| Jun 30, 10:49 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 3 Ene Windsor Heights, IA | REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. STREET AND GUARD RAILS BEING WASHED AWAY WITH THE GROUND DETERIORATING. |
| Jun 30, 11:16 PM CDT | HEAVY RAIN 7.5 | 1 S Saylorville, IA | |
| Jun 30, 11:24 PM CDT | HEAVY RAIN 7.5 | 1 Sse Saylorville, IA | 7.50 INCHES NEAR SAYLORVILLE AREA IN RURAL POLK COUNTY AS OF 1124 PM CDT. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 00:00Z, 1.3 hours before the alert went out and 220 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 2827 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -18 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 801 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 27 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 113 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 194 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 2.5
- Supercell composite
- 15.5
The text
As transmitted.
870
WGUS53 KDMX 010116
FFWDMX
IAC049-153-010715-
/O.NEW.KDMX.FF.W.0021.180701T0116Z-180701T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
816 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2018
The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Polk County in central Iowa...
Dallas County in central Iowa...
* Until 215 AM CDT Sunday.
* At 813 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. One to three inches of rain has
already fallen across northern Polk County and eastern Dallas
Counties with additional thunderstorms developing. Flash flooding
is already occuring with expansion likely overnight.
* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive,
Altoona, Waukee, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Grimes, Perry, Adel,
Windsor Heights, Carlisle, Bondurant, Saylorville, Mitchellville,
Dallas Center and Earlham.
Additional rainfall amounts of one to three inches are possible in
the warned area this evening and overnight.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 35 between mile markers 67 and 72, and between mile
markers 87 and 93.
Interstate 80 between mile markers 100 and 149.
Interstate 235 between mile markers 1 and 14.
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.
Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 4149 9342 4151 9342 4151 9356 4150 9424
4160 9424 4160 9428 4186 9428 4186 9381
4174 9380 4174 9335 4149 9333
$$
MF4 follow-up statements
544
WGUS73 KDMX 010151
FFSDMX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
851 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2018
IAC049-153-010715-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-180701T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Polk IA-Dallas IA-
851 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2018
...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 AM CDT FOR
POLK AND DALLAS COUNTIES...
At 848 PM CDT, emergency management and trained spotters reported
heavy rain due to thunderstorms over the Des Moines metro area. Up
to four inches of rain have already fallen. Flash flooding is
occurring and the severity is expected to increase!
Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive,
Altoona, Waukee, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Grimes, Perry, Adel, Windsor
Heights, Carlisle, Bondurant, Saylorville, Mitchellville, Dallas
Center and Earlham.
Additional rainfall amounts of one to three inches are possible in
the warned area this evening and overnight.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 35 between mile markers 67 and 72, and between mile
markers 87 and 93.
Interstate 80 between mile markers 100 and 149.
Interstate 235 between mile markers 1 and 14.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 4149 9342 4151 9342 4151 9356 4150 9424
4160 9424 4160 9428 4186 9428 4186 9381
4174 9380 4174 9335 4149 9333
$$
MF311
WGUS73 KDMX 010202 CCA
FFSDMX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
902 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2018
IAC049-153-010715-
/O.COR.KDMX.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-180701T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Polk IA-Dallas IA-
902 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2018
...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 AM CDT FOR
POLK AND DALLAS COUNTIES...
At 859 PM CDT, trained weather spotters reported flash flooding in
across Polk and Dallas Counties. Numerous roads have water over
them and creeks and streams are flowing out of their banks. Up to
four inches of rain have already fallen. Flash flooding is already
occurring and the SEVERITY IS LIKELY TO INCREASE!
Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive,
Altoona, Waukee, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Grimes, Perry, Adel, Windsor
Heights, Carlisle, Bondurant, Saylorville, Mitchellville, Dallas
Center and Earlham.
Additional rainfall amounts of one to three inches are possible in
the warned area.
Flood waters are moving down Four Mile Creek from in and around
Ankeny to Easton Boulevard. The flood crest is expected to reach
15.3 feet around 4 am Sunday.
This includes the following highways... Interstate 35 between mile
markers 67 and 72, and between mile markers 87 and 93.
Interstate 80 between mile markers 100 and 149.
Interstate 235 between mile markers 1 and 14.
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.
Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 4149 9342 4151 9342 4151 9356 4150 9424
4160 9424 4160 9428 4186 9428 4186 9381
4174 9380 4174 9335 4149 9333
$$
MF649
WGUS73 KDMX 010234
FFSDMX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
934 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2018
IAC049-153-010715-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-180701T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Polk IA-Dallas IA-
934 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2018
...THIS IS A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR DES MOINES METRO AREA...
...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 AM CDT FOR
POLK AND DALLAS COUNTIES...
At 931 PM CDT, trained weather spotters reported widespread and
severe flash flooding across portions of Polk and Dallas Counties.
Rainfall reports in excess of 5 inches have already occurred with
additional heavy rainfall ongoing.
This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for the DES MOINES METRO AREA. This
is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!
Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive,
Altoona, Waukee, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Grimes, Perry, Adel, Windsor
Heights, Carlisle, Bondurant, Saylorville, Mitchellville, Dallas
Center and Earlham.
Additional rainfall amounts of two to four inches are possible in
the warned area through tonight.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 35 between mile markers 67 and 72, and between mile
markers 87 and 93.
Interstate 80 between mile markers 100 and 149.
Interstate 235 between mile markers 1 and 14.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to higher ground now. This is an extremely dangerous and
life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are
fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.
Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 4149 9342 4151 9342 4151 9356 4150 9424
4160 9424 4160 9428 4186 9428 4186 9381
4174 9380 4174 9335 4149 9333
$$
MF854
WGUS73 KDMX 010626
FFSDMX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
126 AM CDT SUN JUL 1 2018
IAC049-153-010715-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-180701T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Polk IA-Dallas IA-
126 AM CDT SUN JUL 1 2018
...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 AM CDT FOR
POLK AND DALLAS COUNTIES...
At 124 AM CDT, local law enforcement reported heavy rain and flash
flooding across the warned area. 3 to 8 inches of rain have already
fallen. Significant flash flooding is occurring with reports of
stranded vehicles, roads blocked by water, and creeks and streams
out of banks.
Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive,
Altoona, Waukee, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Grimes, Perry, Adel, Windsor
Heights, Carlisle, Bondurant, Saylorville, Mitchellville, Dallas
Center and Earlham.
Additional rainfall amounts of one to two inches are possible in the
warned area the remainder of tonight.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 35 between mile markers 67 and 72, and between mile
markers 87 and 93.
Interstate 80 between mile markers 100 and 149.
Interstate 235 between mile markers 1 and 14.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4149 9342 4151 9342 4151 9356 4150 9424
4160 9424 4160 9428 4186 9428 4186 9381
4174 9380 4174 9335 4149 9333
$$
MFThe office that day
Everything else NWS Des Moines, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 30, 7:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Grundy, Marshall, Tama | 57 min |
| Jun 30, 7:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Polk, Story | 40 min |
| Jun 30, 7:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Story | 36 min |
| Jun 30, 7:33 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Polk, Story | 6 hr |
| Jun 30, 7:42 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Grundy | 6 hr |
| Jun 30, 7:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Audubon, Cass, Guthrie | 35 min |
| Jun 30, 8:02 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Polk | 6 hr |
| Jun 30, 8:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Dallas, Guthrie, Madison | 46 min |
| Jun 30, 8:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Guthrie, Madison | 30 min |
| Jun 30, 8:50 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Polk | 36 hr |
| Jun 30, 9:04 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Polk, Warren | 41 min |
| Jun 30, 9:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Boone, Dallas, Greene, Guthrie, Madison | 28 min |
| Jun 30, 9:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Clarke, Madison, Marion, Polk, Warren | 34 min |
| Jun 30, 9:12 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Polk | 15 hr |
| Jun 30, 9:23 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Dallas, Polk | 16 hr |
| Jun 30, 9:37 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Black Hawk | 7 days |
| Jun 30, 9:37 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Polk | 9 days |
| Jun 30, 9:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Mahaska, Marion, Polk, Warren | 47 min |
| Jun 30, 10:12 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Jasper | 6 hr |
| Jun 30, 10:47 PM CDT | River Flood Watch | DMX | Boone, Hamilton, Webster | 4 hr |
| Jun 30, 10:47 PM CDT | River Flood Watch | DMX | Black Hawk | 3 days |
| Jun 30, 10:47 PM CDT | River Flood Watch | DMX | Polk, Story | 7 hr |
| Jun 30, 10:47 PM CDT | River Flood Watch | DMX | Jasper, Marion, Polk | 7 hr |
| Jun 30, 10:47 PM CDT | River Flood Watch | DMX | Story | 10 hr |
| Jun 30, 11:04 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Polk | 32 hr |
| Jun 30, 11:05 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Polk | 38 hr |
| Jun 30, 11:05 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Polk | 11 hr |
| Jul 1, 1:21 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Dallas, Jasper, Polk, Story | 8 hr |
| Jul 1, 1:36 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Grundy, Hardin | 9 hr |
| Jul 1, 2:34 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Boone, Hamilton, Webster | 41 hr |
| Jul 1, 4:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Wright | 4 days |
| Jul 1, 4:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Black Hawk | 70 hr |
| Jul 1, 4:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Polk | 47 hr |
| Jul 1, 4:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Dallas, Greene | 5 days |
| Jul 1, 5:51 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marion, Polk | 40 hr |
| Jul 1, 9:08 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | DMX | Dallas, Jasper, Polk, Story | 12 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Iowa, 2018Every flash flood warning in 2018
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.