Alert archive / Iowa / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 10, NWS La Crosse, WI

July 8, 2026Howard County, Mitchell County, Iowa; Fillmore County, Mower County, Minnesota

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this flash flood warning at Jul 8, 2026, 5:33 PM CDT for Howard County, Mitchell County, Iowa; Fillmore County, Mower County, Minnesota. It was in force for 3 hr. 4 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
Jul 8, 2026, 5:33 PM CDT (22:33 UTC)
Expired
Jul 8, 2026, 8:33 PM CDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS La Crosse, WI
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Howard County, IA, Mitchell County, IA, Fillmore County, MN, Mower County, MN

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 118 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:33 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
Jul 8, 6:00 PM CDTRAIN 4.5Le Roy, MN
Jul 8, 6:20 PM CDTRAIN 3.972 W Le Roy, MNRain measurements include 1.24 inches at 1445, 0.92 inches at 1619, 0.51 inches at 1645, and 1.30 inches at 1820.
Jul 8, 6:55 PM CDTFLASH FLOODLe Roy, MNSocial media photo of flood waters rising in Dollar General parking lot.
Jul 8, 7:00 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Se Le Roy, MNSocial media report of several basements completely flooded up to floor joists and several vehicles submerged.

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 82 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 10.6 hours before the alert went out and 165 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 12:00Z on 2026-07-08Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 369 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2026-07-08The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 12 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
369 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-82 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1085 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
12 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
57 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
-0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

392 
WGUS53 KARX 082233
FFWARX
IAC089-131-MNC045-099-090130-
/O.NEW.KARX.FF.W.0010.260708T2233Z-260709T0130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
533 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northeastern Mitchell County in north central Iowa...
  Northern Howard County in northeastern Iowa...
  Southwestern Fillmore County in southeastern Minnesota...
  Southern Mower County in southeastern Minnesota...

* Until 830 PM CDT.

* At 533 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain
  have fallen. 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 indicated.

  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...
  Cresco, Grand Meadow, Le Roy, Adams, Lyle, Lime Springs, Cherry
  Grove, Bristol, York, Ostrander, Chester, McIntire, Taopi, County V
  10 And 40th Street, Hayden Prairie, Lake Louise State Park, County
  Roads 4 And 3 and Etna.

This includes Interstate 90 in Minnesota near mile marker 195.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become
unstable and unsafe.

&&

LAT...LON 4350 9291 4354 9305 4354 9280 4362 9257
      4370 9263 4373 9271 4374 9256 4359 9229
      4351 9208 4327 9208 4343 9265 4345 9273

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

JAW
2 follow-up statements
968 
WGUS53 KARX 082337
FFWARX
IAC089-131-MNC045-099-090230-
/O.EXT.KARX.FF.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260709T0230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
637 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northeastern Mitchell County in north central Iowa...
  Northern Howard County in northeastern Iowa...
  Southwestern Fillmore County in southeastern Minnesota...
  Southern Mower County in southeastern Minnesota...

* Until 930 PM CDT.

* At 637 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2.5 and 5 inches of rain
  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches are
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  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...
  Cresco, Grand Meadow, Le Roy, Adams, Lyle, Lime Springs, Cherry
  Grove, Bristol, York, Ostrander, Chester, McIntire, Taopi, County V
  10 And 40th Street, Hayden Prairie, Lake Louise State Park, County
  Roads 4 And 3 and Etna.

This includes Interstate 90 in Minnesota near mile marker 195.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become
unstable and unsafe.

&&

LAT...LON 4350 9291 4354 9305 4354 9280 4362 9257
      4370 9263 4373 9271 4374 9256 4359 9229
      4351 9208 4327 9208 4343 9265 4345 9273

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

JAW
149 
WGUS73 KARX 090133
FFSARX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
833 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

IAC089-131-MNC045-099-090143-
/O.CAN.KARX.FF.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260709T0230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Howard IA-Mitchell IA-Fillmore MN-Mower MN-
833 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN MITCHELL, NORTHERN HOWARD,
SOUTHWESTERN FILLMORE AND SOUTHERN MOWER COUNTIES HAS BEEN REPLACED
WITH A FLOOD WARNING...

While rapidly flowing water and rapid rises have ended, flooded
roadways remain across the area. Therefore the Flash Flood Warning
has been replaced by a Flood Warning. Please refer to that bulletin
for more information. The heavy rain has ended.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM CDT for portions of
Iowa and southeast Minnesota.

&&

LAT...LON 4350 9291 4354 9305 4354 9280 4362 9257
      4370 9263 4373 9271 4374 9256 4359 9229
      4351 9208 4327 9208 4343 9265 4345 9273

$$

JAW

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 8, 1:06 PM CDT, 4 hours 27 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Clusters of storms developing over southern Minnesota into western Wisconsin advance southeast this evening. Some storms may be severe and produce locally heavy rainfall of (1-3"), mainly west of the Mississippi River.
  • Quieter weather for the remainder of the week with a 20-30% chance of afternoon storms for Thursday.
  • Cooler for the end of the week with warmth returning early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 8, 1:06 PM CDT, 4 hours 27 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
106 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Clusters of storms developing over southern Minnesota into
  western Wisconsin advance southeast this evening. Some storms
  may be severe and produce locally heavy rainfall of (1-3"),
  mainly west of the Mississippi River.

- Quieter weather for the remainder of the week with a 20-30%
  chance of afternoon storms for Thursday.

- Cooler for the end of the week with warmth returning early
  next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 100 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

This Afternoon: Severe Weather and Heavy Rain Risk

A convective complex that moved through central Minnesota
gradually decayed and shifted northward through the morning
hours as it ran into a more stable airmass, with the back edge
of the anvil shield serving as the trigger for new convective
development around noon as return southerly flow streamed up
through the Siouxland. These cells have already grown into a
multi-cell complex with additional cells developing further
upstream along I-90. Given the earlier initiation timeframe and
continued convective debris lingering over the forecast area,
concerns area shifting more towards a heavy rain threat vs.
severe threat with these storms.

There looks to be a period before 00Z where storms could train
along the I-90 corridor in southeastern Minnesota before the
convective cold pools take over and propagate to the southeast,
which should result in the convective complex sagging southward
as well. Multiple runs of the HRRR through the day have been
focusing the QPF axis of 1-3 inches (with some pixels of 4-5
inches) between I-35 and Highway 52 in southeast Minnesota and
far northeast Iowa, an area that remains saturated from last
week's deluge. Given these trends, have issued a flood watch for
much of the area west of the Mississippi River through midnight
tonight.

There severe threat remains on the table, but will probably be
more focused west of the Mississippi River (maybe even closer to
I-35) where there will be better recovery of the airmass. There
is some southeastward elongation in the 1-5-km hodographs that
could support some storms organization, but with cells already
growing upscale into clusters, severe weather will likely be
focused in narrow corridors where the convective cold pools can
organize. As the storms become more outflow dominant in the
evening, the severe weather threat should wane.

Thursday Afternoon: Scattered Showers and Storms

Cooler and slightly less humid air filters southward on
Thursday in the wake of this afternoon's storms, but vertical
thermal profiles will still support pulse convection during the
afternoon with MLCAPE values of 1500-2000 J/kg and little to no
inhibition. Shear profiles and forcing will be weak and
therefore storms will struggle to organize. Very localized heavy
rainfall of 1-2 inches would be the main threat with these
storms given their slower storm motions.

Cool End to the Week, Warmer Next Week

Upper level ridging builds in for the weekend and into early
next week, keeping the threat for rainfall at bay while at the
same time pumping heat northward into the northern CONUS. At
this point, the warmest temperatures are progged to be more over
High Plains with the Upper Mississippi River Valley falling
under a weak east to southeasterly flow under or just west of
the surface high pressure reflection. This may act to temper
temperatures and dewpoints compared to locations further west,
though to the exact degree is less certain. Highs are still
forecast to reach into the upper 80s to low 90s no matter how
you slice the forecast, making it feel solidly like summer. The
ridge flattens around midweek, but how fast it amplifies earlier
in the week will dictate whether this flattening brings
convection down into our region or if the storms stay to the
north and we remain under the heat. The various ensembles groups
remain in their respective camps on how this will unfold with
no clear leaning one way or another.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1250 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

Primarily VFR conditions continue through the next few hours
with light southwest winds ahead of expected showers and storms
that move northwest to southeast across the region this
afternoon into tonight, generally in the 20z to 09z timeframe.
That said, there are some storms have already developed along
I-35 this afternoon. These storms are expected to bring heavy
rainfall leading to MVFR/IFR ceilings and visibilities. Also
can't rule out some strong gusty winds as they move through.

MVFR to IFR ceilings linger through the overnight hours behind
the showers/storms. There is also the indication that patchy fog
could develop across the region alongside these lower ceilings,
but any fog that does develop should burn off fairly quickly through
the morning hours. Confidence in fog impacts is currently not
high enough to include at the TAF sites, but is something to
monitor overnight. Winds gradually shift to the northwest
through Thursday morning generally 10KT or less.

&&

.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
MN...Flood Watch until midnight CDT tonight for MNZ086>088-094>096.
IA...Flood Watch until midnight CDT tonight for IAZ008>011-018-019.

&&

DISCUSSION...Skow
AVIATION...Falkinham
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 8, 1:28 PM CDT, 4 hours 5 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
128 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

IAZ029-030-MNZ079-WIZ017-029-032>034-041>044-053>055-061-092230-
Fayette-Clayton-Wabasha-Taylor-Clark-Buffalo-Trempealeau-Jackson-
La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau-Adams-Vernon-Crawford-Richland-Grant-
128 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast
Iowa...southeast Minnesota...central Wisconsin...north central
Wisconsin...southwest Wisconsin and west central Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

A few severe thunderstorms are possible (20-30% chance) later this
afternoon and evening. Heavy rainfall, damaging winds and a brief
tornado are the main threats.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Severe weather and rainfall reports would be appreciated.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

No webinar is scheduled.

IAZ008>011-018-019-MNZ086>088-094>096-092230-
Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Dodge-
Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston-
128 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Iowa...northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

A flood watch is in effect through midnight as storms may produce
heavy rainfall and renewed flooding.

A few severe thunderstorms are possible (20-30% chance) later this
afternoon and evening. Damaging winds and a brief tornado are the
main threats.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Severe weather and rainfall reports would be appreciated.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

No webinar is scheduled.

KDS

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 8, 4:33 PM CDT, 1 hour before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
433 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0422 PM     Rain             4 WSW Austin            43.64N 93.05W
07/08/2026  M1.84 Inch       Mower              MN   Public

            Rain measurement since 2:30 PM. Rain still
            ongoing at time of report.

&&

BRM
Local storm report, Jul 8, 4:34 PM CDT, 59 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
434 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0429 PM     Rain             2 WSW Mapleview         43.67N 93.02W
07/08/2026  M2.16 Inch       Mower              MN   Public

            Rain measurement so far. Rain still ongoing
            at time of report.

&&

BRM
Local storm report, Jul 8, 4:51 PM CDT, 42 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
451 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0445 PM     Rain             Le Roy                  43.51N 92.51W
07/08/2026  M2.60 Inch       Mower              MN   Trained Spotter

            Rain still ongoing at time of report.

&&

BRM
Local storm report, Jul 8, 5:16 PM CDT, 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
516 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0515 PM     Rain             Cresco                  43.37N 92.12W
07/08/2026  E3.00 Inch       Howard             IA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Rain still ongoing at time of report. Some
            street flooding was also occurring.

&&

BRM

The office that day

Everything else NWS La Crosse, WI issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 8, 12:37 PM CDTFlood WatchARXAllamakee, Chickasaw, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell, Winneshiek10 hr
Jul 8, 4:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXHoward, Mitchell44 min
Jul 8, 4:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXHoward, Winneshiek41 min
Jul 8, 5:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXHoward, Mitchell60 min
Jul 8, 5:07 PM CDTTornado WarningARXMitchell23 min
Jul 8, 5:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXHoward, Winneshiek50 min
Jul 8, 6:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXChickasaw, Fayette, Howard, Winneshiek42 min
Jul 8, 6:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXFayette, Winneshiek38 min
Jul 8, 4:35 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningARXMower4 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Iowa, 2026Flash Flood Warnings in Minnesota, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

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.