Flooding in Iowa, March 23 to 31, 2001

Name: Flooding in Iowa, March 23 to 31, 2001
Start: 2001-03-23T18:00
End: 2001-03-31T23:59
Location: Iowa

March 23 to 31, 2001 · NWS DMX · 51 events in 51 counties and zones

Ice jam and snowmelt flooding continued over much of central Iowa during the last two weeks of March. The South Skunk, North Raccoon, and Ice Rivers were the most affected.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 51 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $383,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 51

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS DMX wrote it up.

Ice jam and snowmelt flooding continued over much of central Iowa during the last two weeks of March. The South Skunk, North Raccoon, and Ice Rivers were the most affected. Ice jams, while not severe, caused substantial difficulties with river gaging equipment and made forecasting a challenge as well. The last two weeks of the month saw an almost ideal snowmelt regime, with very gradual melting of the large snowpack and very little precipitation. This also helped to mitigate the potential effects of ice jams by keeping flows down. By months end, continuous snow cover had retreated to the northern tier of Iowa counties, although many drifts and piles of snow remained in the north half of the state. Several river flood statements were issued on the 30th and 31st as rivers across most of the HSA were beginning to go into flood. Flooding across the HSA was all quite minor and continue as we moved into April.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Mar 23, 3:22 PM CST, 2 hours 38 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 23, 3:22 PM CST, 2 hours 38 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
322 PM CST FRI MAR 23 2001

WX QUIET NOW THAT WX SYS HAS DRFTG S OF STATE.  CAA THE RULE THRU
NXT SVRL FCST PDS AS STGST HI OF THE YR BLDS SE INTO IA.  WL CLR OUT
TNGT AND SHUD SE SC DVLPMT SAT WITH INC WNDS AS DWNWD XPORT TAKES
SHAPE IN STG HEATING.  SAT NGT SHUD BE CLDST NGT.  AS FOR TEMPS,
OPTED TWD COLDER MAV FOR MINS AND TENDED TWD WRMR FWC FOR MAX
TEMPS.  ONLY REAL FCST PROGS ARE IN THE EFP.  HI SHD KEEP MUCH OF IA
PCPN FREE WITH XCPTN OF WED WHEN UPR LO DPCTD ON AVN H+120 AFFECTS
IA WITH MXD...MSTLY SNW.  SWRN IA WL SEE BETTER CHC AS WRN XTRM OF
RDG BCMS DIRTY THO.  TEMPS PRETTY MUCH STDTY WITH 20S TO= LOW 30S FOR
LOWS AND 40S FOR HIGHS THRUT FCST PD.
DSM -0000   ALO -0000

.DSM...NONE
MS MAR 01

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

51 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flood, Adair

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Adair forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.471 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Adams

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Adams forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.029, -94.699 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Appanoose

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Appanoose forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 40.743, -92.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Audubon

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Audubon forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.906 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Black Hawk

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Black Hawk forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.470, -92.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Boone

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Boone forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.037, -93.932 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Bremer

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Bremer forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.775, -92.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Butler

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.732, -92.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Calhoun

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Calhoun forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.385, -94.640 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Carroll

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Carroll forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.861 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Cass

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Cass forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.332, -94.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Cerro Gordo

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Cerro Gordo forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Clarke

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Clarke forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.785 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Crawford

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Crawford forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.037, -95.382 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Dallas

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Dallas forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.040 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Davis

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Davis forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 40.748, -92.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Decatur

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Decatur forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 40.738, -93.786 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Emmet

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Emmet forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 43.378, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Franklin

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Franklin forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Greene

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.397 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Grundy

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Grundy forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.402, -92.791 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Guthrie

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Guthrie forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.684, -94.501 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Hamilton

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hamilton forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.707 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Hancock

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hancock forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Hardin

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hardin forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Humboldt

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Humboldt forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.777, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Jasper

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.054 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Kossuth

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Kossuth forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 43.204, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Lucas

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Lucas forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Madison

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.016 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Mahaska

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Mahaska forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.335, -92.641 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Marion

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Marion forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.099 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Marshall

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.036, -92.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Monroe

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Monroe forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.030, -92.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Palo Alto

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Palo Alto forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 43.082, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Pocahontas

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Pocahontas forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.734, -94.679 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Polk

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Polk forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.573 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Poweshiek

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Poweshiek forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.686, -92.531 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Ringgold

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Ringgold forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 40.735, -94.244 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Sac

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Sac forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.386, -95.105 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Story

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Story forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.036, -93.465 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Tama

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Tama forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.080, -92.532 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Taylor

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Taylor forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 40.737, -94.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Union

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Union forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.028, -94.242 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Wapello

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Wapello forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.031, -92.409 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Warren

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.561 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Wayne

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 40.740, -93.327 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Webster

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Webster forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.428, -94.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Winnebago

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Winnebago forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 43.378, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Worth

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Worth forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 43.377, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Wright

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to March 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Wright forecast zone
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Iowa in 2001 Every state in 2001 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, March 2001

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5233730, 5233731, 5233732, 5233733, 5233734, 5233735, 5233736, 5233737, 5233738, 5233739, 5233740, 5233741, 5233861, 5233862, 5233863, 5233864, 5233865, 5233866, 5233867, 5233868, 5233869, 5233870, 5233871, 5233872, 5233873, 5233874, 5233875, 5233876, 5233877, 5233878, 5233879, 5233880, 5233881, 5233882, 5233883, 5233884, 5233885, 5233886, 5234694, 5234695, and more.