Alert archive / Iowa / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 24, NWS Des Moines, IA

August 9, 2026Webster County, Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this flash flood warning at Aug 9, 2026, 5:48 AM CDT for Webster County, Iowa. It was in force for 3 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
Aug 9, 2026, 5:48 AM CDT (10:48 UTC)
Expired
Aug 9, 2026, 8:33 AM CDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Des Moines, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Webster County, IA

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 102 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:52 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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

Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 00:00Z, 10.8 hours before the alert went out and 219 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, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-08-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1317 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, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2026-08-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 151 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
1317 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-316 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2053 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
63 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
151 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
196 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

722 
WGUS53 KDMX 091048
FFWDMX
IAC187-091700-
/O.NEW.KDMX.FF.W.0024.260809T1048Z-260809T1700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
548 AM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Webster County in central Iowa...

* Until noon CDT Sunday.

* At 548 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 3 and 4 inches of rain 
  have fallen. 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...
  Western portions of Fort Dodge, Lizard Creek, and Clare.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For the latest stream observations and forecasts refer to 
weather.gov/desmoines/water.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4251 9432 4255 9439 4264 9436 4260 9421
      4247 9418

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Lee
1 follow-up statement
183 
WGUS73 KDMX 091333
FFSDMX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
833 AM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026

IAC187-091343-
/O.CAN.KDMX.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-260809T1700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Webster IA-
833 AM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHWESTERN WEBSTER 
COUNTY...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4251 9432 4255 9439 4264 9436 4260 9421
      4247 9418

$$

Lee

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 Des Moines, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 9, 3:24 AM CDT, 2 hours 24 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered thunderstorms ongoing early this morning. A few strong storms with large hail could occur. Localized heavy rain could lead to isolated flash flooding should it occur over an urban area. Some gusty winds around 35-45 mph may develop this morning behind the storms as well.
  • Additional storms could move into portions of northern to eastern Iowa later this morning and may bring a risk for strong to even damaging wind gusts.
  • Warm and humid today with heat indices near 100 in southern Iowa.
  • Active weather persists through much of next week with periodic chances for thunderstorms along with the potential for a few strong storms and heavy rainfall.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 9, 3:24 AM CDT, 2 hours 24 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
324 AM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered thunderstorms ongoing early this morning. A few
  strong storms with large hail could occur. Localized heavy
  rain could lead to isolated flash flooding should it occur
  over an urban area. Some gusty winds around 35-45 mph may
  develop this morning behind the storms as well.

- Additional storms could move into portions of northern to
  eastern Iowa later this morning and may bring a risk for
  strong to even damaging wind gusts.

- Warm and humid today with heat indices near 100 in southern
  Iowa.

- Active weather persists through much of next week with
  periodic chances for thunderstorms along with the potential
  for a few strong storms and heavy rainfall.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 319 AM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026

Showers and thunderstorms have been festering initially in
west/southwest Iowa but in the last couple hours additional
convection has begun to develop further north on the nose of the
strengthening low level jet. Although initially pointed more
northerly nearabouts the Missouri River, this jet is expected to arc
northeast to point through central Iowa as we get into this morning.
With ample moisture pointed into the area, convection is expected to
continue to develop and move through the area through the rest of
the overnight hours with steep lapse rates and MUCAPE values of up
to around 1000-2000 J/kg. CAMs have been having a very difficult
time keeping up with current radar observations and overall not
reliable for timing shower/storms out in terms of locations or
overall coverage. However, expectations from this time last night
are being achieved (scattered storms developing on the nose of the
low level jet) but started earlier and further west. This ultimately
leads to more folks seeing what is likely welcome rain. However,
MRMS estimates of 1-1.5" of rain has already fallen with storms
previously west of Jefferson indicating that rain totals are
starting to add up quickly and rain rates of 1-2" per hour may be
achieved at times. This could lead to instances of isolated flash
flooding should these rain rates occur over an urban area. In
addition to the heavy rain threat, will also be watching for large
hail. Many of the storms this morning have likely had, or at least
capable of, small hail, but storms that are able to maintain long
enough to grow tall enough may result in instances of isolated large
hail and this is the main severe threat we'll be monitoring through
much of the overnight hours. Beyond that, we'll be watching the
storms that are developing over the Dakotas as they look to grow
upscale as they track across Minnesota and ultimately into portions
of northern and eastern Iowa. These storms could then pose a
damaging wind threat as they move across portions of the area later
this morning, generally clearing the area prior to midday. These
storms will be more progressive but could also bring quick bout of
heavy rainfall.

Beyond the storms this morning (both rounds just noted), still
seeing signals for some gusty around 35-45 mph winds developing on
the backside of the storms so will continue to monitor for those.
Then, warmer and humid conditions are on tap today. Forecast highs
are in the low 80s in the north to low 90s in the south but dew
points in the 70s will send heat indices towards the 100 degree mark
if not over in portions of southern Iowa. Heat headlines were
considered, but several failure modes are in place that may keep
conditions from reaching the 105F degree criteria. First is the
lingering convective debris from this overnight activity which will
likely delay heating. Second is the wildfire smoke aloft which
already kept temperatures down a degree or so yesterday and could
certainly do so again. Third is NBM dew points are on the
higher end of guidance so in lessening those a degree or so,
heat indices fell enough to preclude the need for a widespread
heat headline in mainly southern Iowa. Some amount of clearing
and atmosphere recovery is expected and should conditions
overachieve, a heat headline may still be needed, but overall
expectation is for conditions to remain below a widespread 105F
needed for a Heat Advisory, though again conditions will still
be hot and humid.

With the boundary discussed the last several days still across the
state, some redevelopment of storms remains possible but may hold
off until later in the evening to overnight again with a strong cap
in place thanks to very warm mid level temperatures of +12-14 at
700mb. The jet location is not as favorable tonight as it is this
morning, but may still help storms develop in southern Iowa. Will
also need to monitor upstream convection with some models hinting at
a MCS moving into portions of the area early Monday morning.
Confidence in overall evolution of activity remains lower with CAMs
all over the place.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Issued at 235 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

The predominant westerly flow aloft will keep the surface boundary
in the vicinity of Iowa through much of next week. This will have a
couple impacts. First the wildfire smoke listed above will persist
at times. In addition, the active weather pattern will persist with
periodic chances for thunderstorms. The storms will bring an
attendant chance for severe weather and the potential for heavy
rainfall. At this time, it appears that dryer air and Canadian High
pressure may bring a brief reprieve of the active and humid weather
but already there are hints that return flow and active weather
could again return again sometime next weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 1159 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

Main challenge in the near term will be shower and storm timing,
as development has been ongoing over western Iowa and is slowly
expanding in coverage. Given recent trends, have pushed up
PROB30 mentions for storms at KDSM and KFOD around 06-07z.
Shower and storm coverage is expected to increase in coverage
through the next several hours, with highest chances near KMCW
and KALO near sunrise as a line of storms arrives into Iowa.
MVFR conditions are possible at times with this activity due to
periods of lowered ceilings and/or visibility restrictions. VFR
conditions across the terminals should return late morning and
through the remainder of the period, with winds turning more
variable as a boundary moves into the state.

&&

.DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

SHORT TERM...05
LONG TERM...Donavon
AVIATION...Bury

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 9, 4:07 AM CDT, 1 hour 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
407 AM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026

IAZ023-024-090930-
Humboldt IA-Pocahontas IA-
407 AM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN POCAHONTAS AND WESTERN
HUMBOLDT COUNTIES THROUGH 430 AM CDT...

At 407 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles east of Pocahontas, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Pocahontas, Rolfe, Gilmore City, Palmer, Bradgate, Pioneer, and
Pocahontas Municipal Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4267 9426 4264 9438 4264 9444 4263 9444
      4260 9457 4277 9471 4291 9444
TIME...MOT...LOC 0907Z 256DEG 18KT 4271 9456

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

05
Special weather statement, Aug 9, 5:46 AM CDT, 2 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
546 AM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026

IAZ005-024-091115-
Humboldt IA-Kossuth IA-
546 AM CDT Sun Aug 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL KOSSUTH AND
NORTHERN HUMBOLDT COUNTIES THROUGH 615 AM CDT...

At 546 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles northwest of Humboldt, or 12 miles northwest of Dakota City,
moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Livermore, Bode, Lu Verne, St. Joseph, Ottosen, and Irvington.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4277 9437 4289 9442 4303 9420 4286 9402
TIME...MOT...LOC 1046Z 240DEG 12KT 4288 9431

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

05

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 9, 4:07 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDMXPocahontas23 min
Aug 9, 4:34 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDMXEmmet26 min
Aug 9, 4:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXHumboldt, Kossuth, Pocahontas20 min
Aug 9, 4:58 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXEmmet47 min
Aug 9, 5:17 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXEmmet, Kossuth, Palo Alto23 min
Aug 9, 5:46 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDMXHumboldt29 min
Aug 9, 5:56 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDMXKossuth34 min
Aug 9, 6:15 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXHancock, Kossuth30 min
Aug 9, 8:20 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXFranklin, Hamilton, Humboldt, Webster, Wright55 min

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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.