Alert archive / Iowa / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 5, NWS Des Moines, IA

August 27, 20214 counties in Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this flash flood warning at Aug 27, 2021, 8:21 PM CDT for 4 counties in Iowa. It was in force for 6 hr. 5 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
Aug 27, 2021, 8:21 PM CDT (01:21 UTC)
Expired
Aug 28, 2021, 2:00 AM CDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Des Moines, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Cerro Gordo County, IA, Hancock County, IA, Winnebago County, IA, Worth County, IA

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 172 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:23 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Aug 27, 8:57 PM CDTHEAVY RAIN 5.83Grafton, IADAILY TOTAL SINCE MIDNIGHT.
Aug 27, 9:48 PM CDTFLASH FLOODNorthwood, IAWATER SEVERAL INCHES DEEP COMPLETELY COVERING 13TH STREET SOUTH IN NORTHWOOD.
Aug 27, 10:12 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD2 Ne Grafton, IAWATER, SEVERAL INCHES DEEP FLOWING OVER YARROW AVE NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF 410TH STREET.
Aug 27, 10:22 PM CDTFLASH FLOODGrafton, IAWATER 2-3 FEET DEEP FLOWING UP TO ROAD ON SOUTH END OF TOWN AS WELL AS APPROACHING A RESIDENT. 3-6 INCHES OF WATER FLOWING OVER ROAD. REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA AND COURTESY OF KAALTV.
Aug 27, 10:34 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD2 Nw Grafton, IAWATER SEVERAL INCHES DEEP FLOWING OVER ROAD NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ULMUS AVE AND 410TH STREET EAST OF KENSETT.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 172 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2021-08-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 652 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2021-08-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 140 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
652 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-66 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
643 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
140 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
175 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
3.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

317 
WGUS53 KDMX 280121
FFWDMX
IAC033-081-189-195-280700-
/O.NEW.KDMX.FF.W.0005.210828T0121Z-210828T0700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
821 PM CDT Fri Aug 27 2021

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northern Cerro Gordo County in north central Iowa...
  Northeastern Hancock County in north central Iowa...
  Eastern Winnebago County in north central Iowa...
  Worth County in north central Iowa...

* Until 200 AM CDT.

* At 821 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or 
  expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Mason City, Forest City, Northwood, Lake Mills, Manly, Rice Lake, 
  Plymouth, Fertile, Leland, Kensett, Grafton, Hanlontown, Joice, 
  Rock Falls, Scarville, Bolan, Northwood Municipal, Rice Lake State 
  Park, Lake Mills Municipal Airport and Pilot Knob State Park.

Portions of northern Worth County have received over 6 inches of 
rainfall so far today via radar estimated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 4325 9367 4350 9366 4350 9302 4316 9302
      4319 9349

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Podrazik
3 follow-up statements
404 
WGUS73 KDMX 280252
FFSDMX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
952 PM CDT Fri Aug 27 2021

IAC033-081-189-195-280700-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210828T0700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Cerro Gordo IA-Hancock IA-Winnebago IA-Worth IA-
952 PM CDT Fri Aug 27 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM CDT SATURDAY FOR 
NORTHERN CERRO GORDO, NORTHEASTERN HANCOCK, EASTERN WINNEBAGO AND 
WORTH COUNTIES...

At 952 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain across the warned area. Between 3 and 6 inches of rain have 
fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 2 to 3 inches in 1 hour. 
Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the 
warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Mason City, Forest City, Northwood, Lake Mills, Manly, Rice Lake, 
  Plymouth, Fertile, Leland, Kensett, Grafton, Hanlontown, Joice, 
  Rock Falls, Scarville, Bolan, Northwood Municipal, Rice Lake State 
  Park, Lake Mills Municipal Airport and Pilot Knob State Park.

This includes the following highways...
	Interstate 35 between mile markers 198 and 218.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 4325 9367 4350 9366 4350 9302 4316 9302
      4319 9349

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL...2-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

Podrazik
313 
WGUS73 KDMX 280423
FFSDMX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
1123 PM CDT Fri Aug 27 2021

IAC081-189-280433-
/O.CAN.KDMX.FF.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210828T0700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Hancock IA-Winnebago IA-
1123 PM CDT Fri Aug 27 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHEASTERN HANCOCK AND 
EASTERN WINNEBAGO COUNTIES...

Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to 
heed remaining road closures.

LAT...LON 4350 9350 4350 9302 4316 9302 4319 9350

$$

IAC033-195-280700-
/O.CON.KDMX.FF.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210828T0700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Cerro Gordo IA-Worth IA-
1123 PM CDT Fri Aug 27 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM CDT SATURDAY FOR 
NORTHERN CERRO GORDO AND WORTH COUNTIES...

At 1123 PM CDT, local law enforcement reported water of several 
inches deep covering the road near the intersection of 430th and 
Yarrow Ave and 410th and Ulmus. Both intersections are east of 
Kensett and north of Grafton. So far tonight, between 3 and 7 inches 
of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is expected to continue.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Mason City, Northwood, Manly, Rice Lake, Plymouth, Fertile, 
  Kensett, Grafton, Hanlontown, Joice, Rock Falls, Bolan, Northwood 
  Municipal and Rice Lake State Park.

This includes the following highways...
	Interstate 35 between mile markers 198 and 218.

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 4350 9350 4350 9302 4316 9302 4319 9350

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED

$$

Podrazik
387 
WGUS73 KDMX 280706
FFSDMX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
206 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021

IAC033-195-280716-
/O.EXP.KDMX.FF.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210828T0700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Cerro Gordo IA-Worth IA-
206 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR NORTHERN CERRO GORDO AND 
WORTH COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a 
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

LAT...LON 4350 9350 4350 9302 4316 9302 4319 9350

$$

Martin

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 27, 7:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXCerro Gordo, Worth65 min
Aug 27, 8:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXCerro Gordo, Worth30 min
Aug 28, 10:17 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXBlack Hawk, Bremer, Butler3 days
Aug 28, 10:17 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXBlack Hawk4 days

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Iowa, 2021Every flash flood warning in 2021

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.