Alert archive / Iowa / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 11, NWS La Crosse, WI
NWS La Crosse, WI issued this flash flood warning at Jul 8, 2026, 7:27 PM CDT for Floyd County, Mitchell County, Iowa. It was in force for 3 hr. 3 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, 7:27 PM CDT (00:27 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 8, 2026, 10:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS La Crosse, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Floyd County, IA, Mitchell County, IA
The radar
The La Crosse radar (KARX), 152 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:26 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 7:45 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | Osage, IA | Around 5 inches of rainfall was reported to cause high rushing water across area streets. |
| Jul 8, 8:24 PM CDT | RAIN 1.9 | 1 Wnw Colwell, IA | |
| Jul 8, 9:45 PM CDT | RAIN 3.31 | Osage, IA |
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 one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 18 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 00:00Z, 0.5 hours before the alert went out and 199 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
- 314 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -35 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 896 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 31 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -42 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 40 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- -0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.7
The text
As transmitted.
145
WGUS53 KARX 090027
FFWARX
IAC067-131-090330-
/O.NEW.KARX.FF.W.0011.260709T0027Z-260709T0330Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
727 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Floyd County in north central Iowa...
Southern Mitchell County in north central Iowa...
* Until 1030 PM CDT.
* At 727 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...
Charles City, Osage, Nashua, Rockford, Rudd, Floyd, Marble Rock,
Colwell, Orchard, Floyd Crossing, Idlewilde State Park, County
Roads 147 And T 34, Oakwood, Roseville, Howardville, Highway 14 And
County Road B 60, County Roads B 20 And T 26, Colwell County Park,
Osage Spring Park and Highways 9 And 218.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 4331 9302 4331 9255 4291 9255 4291 9302
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
JAW1 follow-up statement
136 WGUS73 KARX 090315 FFSARX Flash Flood Statement National Weather Service La Crosse WI 1015 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026 IAC067-131-090325- /O.CAN.KARX.FF.W.0011.000000T0000Z-260709T0330Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ Floyd IA-Mitchell IA- 1015 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026 ...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR FLOYD AND SOUTHERN MITCHELL COUNTIES... The heavy rain has ended. Flash Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures. && LAT...LON 4331 9302 4331 9255 4291 9255 4291 9302 $$ JRC
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, 6:41 PM CDT, 46 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, 6:41 PM CDT, 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service La Crosse WI 641 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 /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 641 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026 A cold front will move through southeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin between now and 11 pm. Once this occurs, the threat for severe weather and flooding will end. Areas of fog will be found overnight. This will produce areas of IFR/MVFR ceilings and visibilities through 09.14z. && .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...Boyne
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 8, 1:28 PM CDT, 5 hours 59 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, 5:42 PM CDT, 1 hour 45 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
542 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM Flash Flood Austin 43.67N 92.97W
07/08/2026 Mower MN Emergency Mngr
Multiple reports of roadways with standing
water upwards of 6 inches on the roads
throughout the city. A vehicle was stuck in
a flooded roadway on I-90.
&&
BRMLocal storm report, Jul 8, 5:52 PM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
552 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0549 PM Hail 6 NE Mcintire 43.50N 92.51W
07/08/2026 M1.00 Inch Howard IA Public
&&
JSBLocal storm report, Jul 8, 5:58 PM CDT, 1 hour 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
558 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM Lightning 1 ENE Winona 44.05N 91.64W
07/08/2026 Winona MN Public
Lightning struck a house and started a small
fire.
&&
JSBLocal storm report, Jul 8, 6:05 PM CDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
605 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0600 PM Rain Le Roy 43.51N 92.51W
07/08/2026 M4.50 Inch Mower MN Public
&&
JSBLocal storm report, Jul 8, 6:36 PM CDT, 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
636 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0620 PM Rain 2 W Le Roy 43.51N 92.56W
07/08/2026 M3.97 Inch Mower MN Public
Rain measurements include 1.24 inches at
1445, 0.92 inches at 1619, 0.51 inches at
1645, and 1.30 inches at 1820.
&&
JSBLocal storm report, Jul 8, 7:08 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
708 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0620 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 W Saratoga 43.37N 92.47W
07/08/2026 M51 MPH Howard IA Mesonet
Mesonet station SRGI4 Saratoga.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS La Crosse, WI issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 8:33 PM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ARX | Howard, Mitchell, Winneshiek | 7 hr |
| Jul 8, 8:44 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ARX | Floyd | 64 hr |
| Jul 9, 10:27 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | ARX | Winneshiek | 13 hr |
| Jul 9, 10:39 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ARX | Howard, Winneshiek | 28 hr |
| Jul 9, 10:43 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ARX | Mitchell | 30 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Iowa, 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.