Flooding and Hail in Iowa, June 23, 2000

Morning upper air analysis showed a low level thermal gradient from Eastern Minnesota through Eastern Iowa into Western Illinois. A southerly low level jet of 25 to 30 knots interacted with the boundary to trigger strong to severe thunderstorms over Chickasaw and Black Hawk Counties during the late morning. Thunderstorms continued to develop throughout the afternoon and evening over Eastern Iowa, producing a few reports of hail, wind damage and heavy rain. Hail up to golfball size fell 2 miles east of Independence, flattening a three and one half mile swath of corn. Pea size hail covered the ground 2 miles northwest of Lamont in Buchanan County. Strong winds and a large amount of pea size hail was responsible for destroying corn in a 2 to 3 mile area north of Winthrop in Buchanan County. Strong winds also downed several trees near Mount Pleasant in Henry County. One traffic fatality in Salem in Henry County was related to area flooding. A 24 year old female was killed when high water swept the pickup she was riding in off the road. The truck was westbound on 335th Street and attempted a low water crossing of Little Cedar Creek. The vehicle was swept away by high water due to recent heavy rain, and carried downstream a short distance before overturning, trapping the woman inside. Seven other occupants escaped without serious injury.