Tornado and Flash Flooding in Iowa, June 11 to 13, 2008

Name: Tornado and Flash Flooding in Iowa, June 11 to 13, 2008
Start: 2008-06-11T18:18
End: 2008-06-13T06:00
Location: Iowa

June 11 to 13, 2008 · NWS DMX · 82 events in 26 counties and zones

An unseasonably strong storm system aloft was located over the northern Rockies. This produced a very strong northward push of moisture into Iowa.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: $2.3 million
Crop damage: $45,000
Events: 82

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.

An unseasonably strong storm system aloft was located over the northern Rockies. This produced a very strong northward push of moisture into Iowa. After the initial convection from the morning moved out of the area, some clearing spread into the southwest, west central, and parts of central Iowa. The atmosphere became very unstable with lifted indices falling to between -5 and -8 C. MUCAPE increased to around 4000 J/kg by evening. The low level jet increased to around 75 kts, feeding the storms well into the night. The environment was quite sheared with 40 to 65 kts of effective shear. Hail was limited in spite of the 400-500 J/kg of shear available in the -10 to -30 C. layer of the atmosphere. The freezing level was very high for mid June, around 15,200 feet. Downdraft CAPE was between 1000 and 1300. Precipitable water was around 1.6 inches. The LCL was in the 750 to 1250 meter range. An intense line of thunderstorms formed from eastern Nebraska into central Kansas. One tornado touched down in Crawford County near Charter Oak. Many of the storms produced pea to marble size hail, with the stronger storms producing hail around nickel size. After sunset, the storms became more wind producers. There were several reports of 60 to 70 MPH winds with considerable tree damage. The highest winds were 75 MPH in Webster County at Duncombe. The big story became the heavy rain. Many of the storms produced rainfall of 1 to 2 inches per hour, with some areas reporting total rainfall of up to 4 or 5 inches. With the very wet soil conditions across the state, it only took between 1/2 and 1 inch of rain to cause flash flooding. Water was reported across roads in many places across the state. Flash flood warnings were issued for over half of the Des Moines CWA by the time the night was done.

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 Jun 11, 5:48 PM CST, 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 11, 5:48 PM CST, 30 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
648 PM CDT WED JUN 11 2008

.DISCUSSION...
LARGE MID-LEVEL CYCLONE SITS OVER NORTHERN ROCKIES WITH SHORTWAVE
SWINGING AROUND ITS SOUTHERN PERIPHERY EVIDENT ON WV IMAGERY. SFC
ANALYSIS SHOWS LOW PRESSURE NEARLY STATIONARY IN EASTERN SD WITH
WARM/STATIONARY FRONT STRETCHED ACROSS SOUTHERN MN AND WI...AND COLD
FRONT EXTENDING THROUGH EASTERN NE AND CENTRAL/WESTERN KS. DEEP
SOUTHERLY FLOW IN THE WARM SECTOR HAS ALLOWED LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE TO
POOL UP ACROSS OUR AREA...WITH DEWPOINTS NOW IN THE MID/UPPER 60S
ACROSS THE SOUTHERN 2/3 OF THE STATE. SKIES HAVE LARGELY CLEARED OUT
BEHIND EARLIER CONVECTIVE CLUSTER AND ARE NOW PARTLY CLOUDY OVER
MUCH OF CENTRAL IOWA...ALLOWING TEMPERATURES TO RISE INTO THE LOWER
80S IN SOME LOCATIONS.

WITH THE INCREASE IN LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE AND WARM AIR INSTABILITY IS
INCREASING SIGNIFICANTLY. WIND SHEAR ALSO HIGH WITH SWERLY FLOW
ALOFT AND AN 850 MB JET OVER WESTERN IA. AS THE MID-LEVEL SHORTWAVE
REVOLVES AROUND THE SOUTHEASTERN PERIPHERY OF THE LOW THIS
EVENING...IT WILL KICK THE SURFACE LOW NORTHEAST BRINGING THE COLD
FRONT THROUGH CENTRAL IA OVERNIGHT. FIRST THREAT WILL BE ISOLATED
CONVECTION IN THE WARM SECTOR WELL AHEAD OF THE FRONT THIS
EVENING/EARLY TONIGHT...HOWEVER IT APPEARS THAT WARM AIR ABOVE THE
SFC WILL PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CAP TO KEEP THIS IN CHECK. ANYTHING THAT
DOES DEVELOP IN THIS TIMEFRAME WILL HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF GOING
SEVERE GIVEN THE ENVIRONMENT. STORMS ALONG AND JUST AHEAD OF THE
COLD FRONT WILL ENTER OUR AREA BETWEEN 00Z AND 04Z...MOVING ACROSS
THROUGH THE NIGHT. PRIMARY SEVERE THREAT WILL BE NWERN HALF OF
CWA...WITH CONVECTION TRANSITIONING TO ELEVATED AND SEVERE THREAT
DIMINISHING BUT STILL PRESENT AFTER ABOUT MIDNIGHT. QPF DIFFICULT TO
PIN DOWN TONIGHT...BUT HEAVY RAIN WILL BE WIDESPREAD WITH THE
HIGHEST AMOUNTS LIKELY EARLIER IN THE NIGHT ACROSS THE NORTHWEST.

FRONT WILL MOVE SOUTHEAST ACROSS IA ON THU AND MAY SEE ADNL TSRA
DURING THE AFTERNOON OVER THE SERN THIRD. THAT SHOULD MOVE SE OF
THE CWA BY SNST AND EXPECT IA TO MISS MOST OF THE CWA. PTRN CHNG
WILL GIVE IA A BREAK FRM THE ACTIVE WX FOR ABOUT A WEEK AS THE OVR
ALL PTRN BASICALLY SHIFTS 180 DEGREES. SOME PCPN ON TAP FOR THE
SUN INTO MON TIMEFRAME, BUT NOT AS WDSPRD OR HEAVY AS HAS BEEN THE
CASE OF LATE.

&&

.AVIATION...12/00Z
SVR SQUALL LINE ENTERING WRN IA WILL BE THE MAIN WX FEAT WITH THIS
SET.  TIMED THE SYS ACRS THE CWA OVR NGT WITH IT REACHING KFOD BY
AROUND 02Z AND KOTM ARND 08Z.  MAIN AREA LKLY TO LAST ABOUT 2 HRS
WITH SOME -TSRA AFT MAIN LINE.  OUTSIDE OF TSRA, GENL VFR CONDS WILL
HOLD THRU FCST PD.  WILL BE A CHANCE OF REDEVELOPMENT OVR THE SERN
TAFS BY THE MID DAY PERIOD ON THU...WITH ENTIRE AREA SHIFTING SWD BY
END OF TAF PD.

&&

.DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR ADAIR-ADAMS-
AUDUBON-BLACK HAWK-BOONE-BREMER-BUTLER-CALHOUN-CARROLL-CASS-
CERRO GORDO-CRAWFORD-DALLAS-EMMET-FRANKLIN-GREENE-GRUNDY-GUTHRIE-
HAMILTON-HANCOCK-HARDIN-HUMBOLDT-JASPER-KOSSUTH-MADISON-MARSHALL-
PALO ALTO-POCAHONTAS-POLK-POWESHIEK-SAC-STORY-TAMA-TAYLOR-UNION-
WEBSTER-WINNEBAGO-WORTH-WRIGHT.

&&

MS JUN 08

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 11, 2:48 PM CST, 3 hours 30 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
348 PM CDT WED JUN 11 2008

IAZ026>028-037>039-048>050-060>062-072>075-082>086-093>097-122100-
FRANKLIN-BUTLER-BREMER-HARDIN-GRUNDY-BLACK HAWK-STORY-MARSHALL-
TAMA-POLK-JASPER-POWESHIEK-MADISON-WARREN-MARION-MAHASKA-UNION-
CLARKE-LUCAS-MONROE-WAPELLO-RINGGOLD-DECATUR-WAYNE-APPANOOSE-
DAVIS-
348 PM CDT WED JUN 11 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL IOWA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP TO THE WEST AND MOVE INTO THE
AREA THIS EVENING. THE STRONG STORMS WILL ADVANCE EAST TO THE
INTERSTATE 35 CORRIDOR BY AROUND MIDNIGHT. ALL MODES OF SEVERE
WEATHER AREA LIKELY THIS EVENING. WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAIN IS ALSO
LIKELY WITH THESE STORMS.

NUMEROUS AREAL AND RIVER FLOOD WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT ACROSS
CENTRAL IOWA. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEBSITE AT WEATHER.GOV/DESMOINES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

THERE WILL BE A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS LINGERING INTO THURSDAY
EVENING. THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS EARLY
FRIDAY AND A BETTER CHANCE FOR STORMS ON SUNDAY INTO MONDAY. THE
SEVERE WEATHER POTENTIAL AT THIS TIME LOOKS TO BE MINIMAL WHILE
THE HEAVY RAIN POTENTIAL HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS LIKELY FOR A TWO TO THREE HOUR PERIOD FROM
THE BEGINNING OF THE THUNDERSTORMS THIS EVENING...AND IS NOT
EXPECTED THURSDAY.

IAZ004>007-015>017-023>025-033>036-044>047-057>059-070-071-081-
092-122100-
EMMET-KOSSUTH-WINNEBAGO-WORTH-PALO ALTO-HANCOCK-CERRO GORDO-
POCAHONTAS-HUMBOLDT-WRIGHT-SAC-CALHOUN-WEBSTER-HAMILTON-CRAWFORD-
CARROLL-GREENE-BOONE-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-ADAMS-
TAYLOR-
348 PM CDT WED JUN 11 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL IOWA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP AND MOVE INTO WESTERN IOWA THIS
EVENING. THE STORMS WILL ADVANCE TO THE INTERSTATE 35 CORRIDOR BY
AROUND MIDNIGHT...AND ACROSS OUR AREA BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 5 AM.
THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER THIRD WILL BE FOR HAIL AND HIGH WINDS.
WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAIN IS ALSO LIKELY WITH THESE STORMS.

NUMEROUS AREAL AND RIVER FLOOD WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT ACROSS
CENTRAL IOWA. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEBSITE AT WEATHER.GOV/DESMOINES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

THERE WILL BE A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS LINGERING INTO EARLY
FRIDAY. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE SOUTHEAST OF A
LAMONI TO TAMA LINE DURING THE AFTERNOON THURSDAY. A BETTER CHANCE
FOR STORMS WILL ARRIVE ON SUNDAY INTO MONDAY. THE SEVERE WEATHER
POTENTIAL AT THIS TIME LOOKS TO BE MINIMAL WHILE THE HEAVY RAIN
POTENTIAL HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS POSSIBLE FROM AROUND MIDNIGHT THROUGH THE
PREDAWN HOURS...AND POSSIBLY THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 155 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:17 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

34 flash flood, 28 thunderstorm wind, 11 heavy rain, 4 hail, 4 flood, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, Pocahontas

When: June 11, 6:18 PM CST to 7:18 PM CST
Where: Pocahontas County, Laurens
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.850, -94.850

Rainfall of 1.5 to 2 inches.

Tornado, Crawford

When: June 11, 6:21 PM CST to 6:23 PM CST
Where: Crawford County, 3.57 mi S of Charter Oak to 2.71 mi W of Kenwood
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.21 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.019, -95.593

Brief tornado touchdown.

Thunderstorm Wind, Emmet

When: June 11, 6:43 PM CST
Where: Emmet County, 2.07 mi S of Wellingford
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.290, -94.800

Two out-buildings destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Emmet

When: June 11, 6:43 PM CST
Where: Emmet County, 1.38 mi S of Wellingford
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.300, -94.800

Sixteen to 18 inch diameter trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Palo Alto

When: June 11, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Palo Alto County, Mallard
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.930, -94.680

Heavy Rain, Cass

When: June 11, 7:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 0.52 mi E of Atlantic
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.400, -95.010

Rainfall of 3.18 inches.

Heavy Rain, Kossuth

When: June 11, 7:03 PM CST to 8:03 PM CST
Where: Kossuth County, 5.07 mi W of Swea City
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.390, -94.400

Rainfall of 1.46 inches.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kossuth

When: June 11, 7:27 PM CST
Where: Kossuth County, 5.02 mi W of Swea City
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.380, -94.400

Large trees down, one was an 18 inch diameter Ash tree.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When: June 11, 7:32 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, 0.69 mi N of Halbur
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.010, -94.970

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When: June 11, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, 1.47 mi SSW of Maple River
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.080, -94.940

Power poles down at the intersection of Ivy Ave and Highway 30.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When: June 11, 7:38 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, 1.03 mi E of Carroll
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.070, -94.860

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When: June 11, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, 0.86 mi SE of Arcadia
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.070, -95.040

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When: June 11, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, 2.66 mi ENE of Arcadia
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.090, -95.000

Thunderstorm Wind, Palo Alto

When: June 11, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Palo Alto County, Mallard
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.930, -94.680

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When: June 11, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, 1.03 mi E of Carroll
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.070, -94.860

Two trees were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When: June 11, 7:52 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, 2.16 mi WNW of Lidderdale
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.140, -94.820

Trees 14 to 16 inch in diameter down.

Flash Flood, Palo Alto

When: June 11, 8:00 PM CST to June 12, 1:15 AM CST
Where: Palo Alto County, 2.56 mi E of Mallard to 1 mi ESE of Mallard
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.931, -94.629

Water reported over Highway 4 south of Mallard.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: June 11, 8:26 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, 2.81 mi S of Blairsburg
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.440, -93.640

Large tree down. Buildings damaged.

Hail, Webster

When: June 11, 8:26 PM CST
Where: Webster County, 1.38 mi S of Farnhamville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.260, -94.400

Heavy Rain, Webster

When: June 11, 8:27 PM CST to 9:27 PM CST
Where: Webster County, 0.51 mi E of Gowrie
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.280, -94.290

Rainfall of 1.70 inches.

Heavy Rain, Carroll

When: June 11, 8:36 PM CST to 9:36 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, 0.69 mi S of Glidden
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 42.060, -94.730

Rainfall of 2.50 inches.

Thunderstorm Wind, Winnebago

When: June 11, 8:40 PM CST
Where: Winnebago County, 4.47 mi SE of Buffalo Center
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.340, -93.880

Multiple trees were downed, a shed destroyed, garage damaged, and a tree was against a home.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greene

When: June 11, 8:54 PM CST
Where: Greene County, 0.51 mi E of Grand Jct
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.030, -94.220

Hail, Greene

When: June 11, 8:56 PM CST
Where: Greene County, 4.02 mi NNE of Grand Jct
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.080, -94.190

Hail, Guthrie

When: June 11, 8:56 PM CST
Where: Guthrie County, 0.51 mi E of Jamaica
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.850, -94.310

Flash Flood, Webster

When: June 11, 8:57 PM CST to June 12, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 0.69 mi N of Ft Dodge to 2.8 mi E of Ft Dodge
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.510, -94.180

Street flooding in Fort Dodge. Water up to 6 inches deep and standing in low portions of Highway 7 near Fort Dodge.

Thunderstorm Wind, Boone

When: June 11, 9:14 PM CST
Where: Boone County, 3.45 mi S of Ogden
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.980, -94.030

Trees were downed across Highway 169.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: June 11, 9:20 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, 0.86 mi NE of Stanhope
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.290, -93.790

Power lines were downed.

Flash Flood, Cass

When: June 11, 9:20 PM CST to June 12, 2:15 AM CST
Where: Cass County, 3.49 mi S of Atlantic Arpt to 2.89 mi S of Atlantic Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.350, -95.060

Water was over the intersection of Lansing Road and Highway 6.

Flash Flood, Cass

When: June 11, 9:20 PM CST to June 12, 2:15 AM CST
Where: Cass County, 1.05 mi NW of Atlantic to 2.32 mi SSE of Atlantic Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.412, -95.032

Significant urban flooding in Atlantic with 25 to 30 intersections covered by water, several waist high. Mainly due to Bull Creek.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: June 11, 9:23 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, 0.69 mi S of Kamrar
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.390, -93.730

Large tree limbs and power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Webster

When: June 11, 9:23 PM CST
Where: Webster County, 1.02 mi W of Duncombe
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.470, -94.000

Hail, Webster

When: June 11, 9:23 PM CST
Where: Webster County, 1.02 mi W of Duncombe
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.470, -94.000

Walnut size hail was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: June 11, 9:29 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, 4.8 mi ESE of Kamrar
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.380, -93.640

Tree damage with large branches torn away.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: June 11, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, 2.81 mi S of Blairsburg
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.440, -93.640

Large trees down. Building damage also reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: June 11, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, 0.86 mi NE of Randall
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 42.240, -93.590

Flash Flood, Carroll

When: June 11, 9:30 PM CST to June 12, 2:15 AM CST
Where: Carroll County, 0.99 mi S of Wiley to 1.16 mi S of Wiley
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.966, -94.833

Water was reported across Olympic Road just south of Willey.

Flash Flood, Carroll

When: June 11, 9:30 PM CST to June 12, 2:15 AM CST
Where: Carroll County, 2.07 mi S of Glidden to 2.55 mi S of Glidden
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.040, -94.730

Water was over Timber Ave just south of Glidden.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: June 11, 9:34 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, 0.69 mi N of Randall
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.240, -93.600

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: June 11, 9:35 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, 1.02 mi E of Williams
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.480, -93.530

A hog containment building was destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Story

When: June 11, 9:35 PM CST
Where: Story County, 1.47 mi NNW of Ames
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.050, -93.630

Power lines were downed.

Heavy Rain, Wright

When: June 11, 9:39 PM CST to 10:39 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Clarion
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.730, -93.730

Rainfall of 1.5 inches.

Flash Flood, Guthrie

When: June 11, 9:39 PM CST to June 12, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Guthrie County, 3.31 mi E of Fanslers to 3.25 mi ENE of Fanslers
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.756, -94.406

Water was over 170th St between Quail Ave and Redwood Ave.

Flash Flood, Guthrie

When: June 11, 9:43 PM CST to June 12, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Guthrie County, 3.43 mi S of Jamaica to 3.7 mi SSE of Jamaica
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.801, -94.313

Water was over 140th St just east of Wood Road.

Heavy Rain, Dallas

When: June 11, 9:45 PM CST to 10:45 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, 0.86 mi NE of Woodward
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.860, -93.920

Rainfall of 2.20 inches.

Thunderstorm Wind, Story

When: June 11, 9:50 PM CST
Where: Story County, 0.86 mi NE of Story City to 1.53 mi N of Roland
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.190, -93.590

Power lines reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hardin

When: June 11, 9:55 PM CST
Where: Hardin County, Iowa Falls Muni Arpt
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 42.470, -93.270

Flash Flood, Adair

When: June 11, 10:00 PM CST to June 12, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Adair County, 6.06 mi WSW of Adair to 0.5 mi NNW of Berea
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.463, -94.756

County road G30 was closed due to high water between Adair and Anita.

Flash Flood, Kossuth

When: June 11, 10:00 PM CST to June 12, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Kossuth County, 0.94 mi N of Wesley to 0.3 mi NW of Wesley Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.093, -93.997

Extensive flooding reported in Wesley, blocking access to the area.

Flash Flood, Kossuth

When: June 11, 10:00 PM CST to June 12, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Kossuth County, 3.19 mi WNW of Bancroft to 3.03 mi W of Burt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.301, -94.276

Black Cat Creek was flowing over Highway 169 and was under water between Burt and Bancroft.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: June 11, 10:03 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, Geneva
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.680, -93.130

Six to 7 inch diameter trees down.

Flash Flood, Pocahontas

When: June 11, 10:18 PM CST to June 12, 1:15 AM CST
Where: Pocahontas County, 0.64 mi SW of Laurens to 0.81 mi WNW of Laurens
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.843, -94.859

Extensive flooding stopping travel and water was backing up into basements.

Flash Flood, Dallas

When: June 11, 10:20 PM CST to June 12, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Dallas County, Dallas Center Arpt to 1.46 mi N of Dallas Center Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.680, -94.020

Water was reported flowing over Highway 44.

Flash Flood, Story

When: June 11, 11:00 PM CST to June 12, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Story County, 0.61 mi WNW of Slater to 0.81 mi NE of Slater
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.883, -93.691

Flash Flood, Story

When: June 11, 11:00 PM CST to June 12, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Story County, 1.03 mi N of Story City to 0.26 mi NNE of Story City
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.195, -93.601

Heavy Rain, Story

When: June 11, 11:13 PM CST to June 12, 12:13 AM CST
Where: Story County, 0.69 mi N of Maxwell
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.890, -93.400

Rainfall of 1.50 inches.

Flash Flood, Dallas

When: June 11, 11:20 PM CST to June 12, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Dallas County, 3.49 mi N of Panther to 0.51 mi SSE of Minburn
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.730, -94.090

Five inches of water flowing over the road and rising.

Flash Flood, Dallas

When: June 11, 11:26 PM CST to June 12, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Dallas County, 3.78 mi SE of Zook Spur to 3.37 mi SE of Zook Spur
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.830, -93.820

Five feet of water reported over Highway 17.

Heavy Rain, Polk

When: June 11, 11:30 PM CST to June 12, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Polk County, Windsor Hgts
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 41.600, -93.720

Rainfall of 1.30 inches in an hour.

Flash Flood, Dallas

When: June 11, 11:42 PM CST to June 12, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Dallas County, 2.92 mi ESE of Zook Spur to 3.36 mi ESE of Zook Spur
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 41.850, -93.820

Water running over Highway 17.

Flash Flood, Marshall

When: June 11, 11:42 PM CST to June 12, 6:30 AM CST
Where: Marshall County, 0.95 mi ENE of Luray to 1.38 mi WNW of Marshalltown
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.985, -92.983

Numerous county roads were flooded. Many streets in Marshalltown were flooded with water also reported over Highway 146 south of Le Grand.

Heavy Rain, Webster

When: June 11, 11:48 PM CST to June 12, 12:48 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 0.51 mi E of Gowrie
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.280, -94.290

Rainfall of 1.75 inches.

Flash Flood, Story

When: June 12, 12:05 AM CST to 3:30 AM CST
Where: Story County, 1.72 mi SE of Kelley to 1.09 mi SSW of Ames Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.934, -93.654

Water was reported 2 to 3 feet deep over parts of Highway 69 south of Ames.

Flash Flood, Dallas

When: June 12, 12:09 AM CST to 3:30 AM CST
Where: Dallas County, 1.03 mi E of Dallas Center Arpt to 1.95 mi NE of Dallas Center Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.680, -94.000

A 100 yard wide area of water over 4 inches deep and rising was reported on Highway 44.

Flash Flood, Dallas

When: June 12, 12:10 AM CST to 2:30 AM CST
Where: Dallas County, 0.86 mi SW of Granger to 1.54 mi WSW of Granger
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.760, -93.840

Water was over the road on County road F31.

Flash Flood, Polk

When: June 12, 12:17 AM CST to 5:30 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 1.74 mi S of Des Moines to 1.42 mi S of Des Moines
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.575, -93.624

Court Ave was flooded with manhole covers being described as geysers.

Flash Flood, Hamilton

When: June 12, 12:42 AM CST to 3:30 AM CST
Where: Hamilton County, 1.36 mi WSW of Webster City to 1.21 mi SE of Webster City
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.462, -93.844

Street flooding was reported in the city.

Heavy Rain, Carroll

When: June 12, 12:59 AM CST to 6:59 AM CST
Where: Carroll County, 2.31 mi SSE of Manning
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.870, -95.050

Rainfall total from last night was 3.10 inches.

Flash Flood, Worth

When: June 12, 1:07 AM CST to 2:30 AM CST
Where: Worth County, 0.5 mi W of Northwood to 0.53 mi SW of Northwood
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.451, -93.230

Street flooding was reported in the area.

Flash Flood, Story

When: June 12, 1:10 AM CST to 3:30 AM CST
Where: Story County, 1.19 mi S of Gilbert to 1.36 mi SSE of Gilbert
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.103, -93.646

Water was over the road at 170th and 530th.

Flash Flood, Adams

When: June 12, 1:20 AM CST to 5:30 AM CST
Where: Adams County, 2.08 mi NE of Mt Etna to 2.02 mi N of Carl
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.140, -94.720

Water was reported over many cross roads with 110th St across the northern portion of the county.

Flash Flood, Madison

When: June 12, 1:32 AM CST to 5:30 AM CST
Where: Madison County, 4.84 mi N of Patterson to 4.77 mi N of Patterson
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.420, -93.900

Law enforcement reports 6 to 8 inches of water flowing over the 2800 block of Cumming Road.

Flash Flood, Black Hawk

When: June 12, 1:33 AM CST to 5:15 AM CST
Where: Black Hawk County, 1.55 mi S of Castle Hill to 1.07 mi NNE of Cedar Falls Jct
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.498, -92.395

Heavy rain was overwhelming the pumping capabilities in many areas of the city. Street flooding was reported.

Flood, Guthrie

When: June 12, 2:34 AM CST to June 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Guthrie County, Guthrie Center to 0.72 mi SE of Guthrie Center
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Crop damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.680, -94.500

The south Raccoon River was out of its banks with flooding in the city. Sandbagging started near the water plant, city wells, pools, and municipal gas facilities.

Flash Flood, Madison

When: June 12, 2:39 AM CST to 5:30 AM CST
Where: Madison County, 4.84 mi N of Patterson to 4.77 mi N of Patterson
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.420, -93.900

Water over the road.

Flash Flood, Black Hawk

When: June 12, 2:45 AM CST to 5:15 AM CST
Where: Black Hawk County, 0.69 mi S of Waterloo to 2.8 mi SE of Waterloo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.490, -92.350

Two to 3 feet of water standing in Waterloo near the Sycamore area. Water was also over portions of Black Hawk Road.

Flood, Polk

When: June 12, 3:48 AM CST to June 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 1.38 mi S of Des Moines to 1.52 mi S of Saydell
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.580, -93.620

One foot of water at Northwest 6th Drive between 49th and 51st.

Flash Flood, Tama

When: June 12, 3:54 AM CST to 6:30 AM CST
Where: Tama County, 0.69 mi S of Traer Muni Arpt to 0.65 mi S of Traer Muni Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.190, -92.450

Water over Highway 8 east or Traer.

Flash Flood, Tama

When: June 12, 3:55 AM CST to 6:30 AM CST
Where: Tama County, 0.79 mi NE of Montour to 0.56 mi NNE of Montour
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.979, -92.710

Flooding was causing evacuations in town.

Flash Flood, Adair

When: June 12, 4:09 AM CST to 6:30 AM CST
Where: Adair County, 5.74 mi NNW of Rosserdale to 4.49 mi NNW of Rosserdale
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.480, -94.450

Water was reported over the bridge on Highway 25 just south of Interstate 80.

Flood, Kossuth

When: June 12, 11:05 AM CST to June 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Kossuth County, 3.4 mi S of Hobarton to 3.43 mi S of Wesley Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $150,000
Crop damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.031, -94.320

County Blacktop R14 under water south of Wesley. More than 40 gravel roads in county impacted.

Flood, Polk

When: June 12, 12:22 PM CST to June 13, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 0.94 mi NNE of (Dsm)des Moines Intl to 2.11 mi S of Youngstown
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.541, -93.660

Evacuations at 4333 Park Ridge. Flooding at mobile home park.

What these are

Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Iowa, 2008 Warnings in Iowa, June 2008

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: 93676, 93638, 93643, 93644, 93642, 93678, 93677, 93645, 93659, 93646, 93660, 93661, 93663, 93641, 93647, 93648, 93695, 93649, 93672, 93679, 93680, 93650, 93664, 93673, 93674, 93696, 93651, 93652, 93697, 93698, 93653, 93666, 93675, 93654, 93655, 93667, 93699, 93700, 93668, 93656, and more.