Continued heavy rain and high streamflows led to many rivers going back into flood in late May across central Iowa. Several crests occurred on the Des Moines River at Ottumwa.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS DMX wrote it up.
Continued heavy rain and high streamflows led to many rivers going back into flood in late May across central Iowa. Several crests occurred on the Des Moines River at Ottumwa. Many of these were due to planned releases from Lake Red Rock, with some of the water from heavy rainfall.
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 May 21, 10:59 PM CST, 3 hours 31 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Des Moines IA 1159 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 .DISCUSSION.../Tonight through Tuesday/ Issued at 352 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 Overall, looking at an active period of weather over the course of the next week or so with multiple chances for severe weather and rainfall continuing to prime additional river flooding and increasing the flash flooding potential. Upper level low pressure easily seen on the early afternoon GOES- East Clean IR Water Vapor imagery over southwest Kansas with a broad shield of clouds and precipitation to the north, northeast, and east. Locally over Iowa, there is a large area of rain over central spreading into eastern Iowa. This coincides with theta-e advection that is moving in a similar direction along with strong Q-vector convergence. There is a narrow window immediately following the dissipating/ending rain of strong wind gusts with recent gusts at the Carroll AWOS to 53 mph, Atlantic CWOP to 50 mph, Denison AWOS to 50 mph, Estherville ASOS to 51 mph, and Marshalltown ASOS to 50 mph. This strong wind gusts look to continue with the 00z HREF and less so the 12z HREF 4 hour max wind gusts, 00z NCAR Ensemble max wind speeds, and runs of the HRRR continuing to signal strong winds between 50 to 60 knots over north central Iowa. As previous discussion noted, this is likely part synoptic/part convective induced. With this potential seemingly being realized over the southwest forecast area in agreement with model guidance, will allow the Wind Advisory to cover this potential up north and if need be upgrade to High Wind Warning. These wind gusts are on top of the sustained, strong easterly winds that have been prevailing today. Temperatures so far on this damp and windy day are near their minimum maximums in some places, including DSM where the record is 53. So far today through 18z, the high has been 50. Still 8 or so hours for temperatures to bump up before anything is considered official. Another area of showers is expected to move up out of western Missouri into central Iowa, but instability is limited through early this evening with MUCAPE less than 500 J/kg so a few thunderstorms are possible over southern Iowa as this activity moves in. These elevated storms may pose a risk of near severe hail, though threat currently seems quite low. Currently, the nearest lightning via GOES- East GLM data is over central Missouri/roughly I-70 south at mid-afternoon. Several additional rounds of showers and storms are expected tonight, but areal coverage will be much less so than current ongoing precipitation. As the upper low mentioned above lifts north-northeastward into central Nebraska, shortwaves will rotate around and into southwest Iowa. The first wave will be late this afternoon/early this evening roughly arriving 23-00z over southwest Iowa and moving generally northward. Currently expect these to be more scattered showers with very limited instability. The next wave will arrive several hours later around 4 to 5z over southwest Iowa. This will have perhaps the best instability of the 'day' with the HRRR indicating between 500 to 1000 J/kg with the RAP closer to 250 J/kg. Deep layer bulk shear is strong between 40 to 50 knots with 0-3 km helicity above 200 m2/s2 with 0-1km helicity similar. Interestingly, the last three runs of the HRRR has an updraft helicity track indicative of a strong, rotating storm over our far western area say from roughly Union up through Carroll County. The HRRR has been consistent with this with slight shifts east and west with runs. If surface based storms are able to form, shear environment is favorable for rotating storms so tornado threat would be non-zero along with hail and wind gust potential. This threat should wane after midnight, but showers will linger over the northern part of the forecast area into early Wednesday morning. As the upper low continues slowly northeastward into the Red River Valley of the North, winds will remain breezy over the state from the southwest, though certainly not as strong as today. A surface boundary will lay out over southeastern Iowa and will serve as a focus for storms Wednesday evening as weak warm air advection passes over the area. While instability will be weak, there will be strong deep layer shear again that could support some large hail or perhaps gusty winds. The western US trough will eject out another shortwave trough in the southwest flow later Thursday. The boundary that was the focus for storms Wednesday evening will lift northward as a warm front and bring back a moisture rich environment with precipitable water values increasing to 1.5 to 2 inches by Thursday night. CAPE values will increase as well into the overnight towards 1000 J/kg with deep layer shear in excess of 40 to 50 knots. Expect storms to form as the low level jet strengthens into southern Iowa with primarily elevated storms posing a risk of hail. Flash flooding concerns will be monitored given the precipitable water values and storm totals between 1 to locally 3 inches. The rest of Friday through Memorial Day will continue to have chances for showers and storms with temperatures generally above normal for late May. With southwest flow remaining aloft allowing for shortwave troughs to move across the region and a surface boundary somewhere in the vicinity of Iowa, hard to find a period at this time frame that would be dry. That is not to say the weekend will be a washout, just hard to nail down a time period at this time horizon. Given the boundary location, strong to perhaps severe storms could be possible as well. In addition, depending on where rains set up, the flash flooding and river flooding concerns may grow as well through the weekend && .AVIATION.../For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Wednesday night/ Issued at 1158 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 IFR ceilings continue to affect most terminals but the back edge is moving northward from southern Iowa at this time and ceilings should improve through MVFR to VFR, from south to north, at all terminals overnight with VFR reaching MCW by around sunrise or shortly thereafter. Winds will remain fairly strong and gusty at times on Wednesday, turning through southeast to southwest before midday. && .DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE. && DISCUSSION...Ansorge AVIATION...Lee
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Des Moines IA 1006 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-049-050-221100- Emmet-Kossuth-Winnebago-Worth-Palo Alto-Hancock-Cerro Gordo- Pocahontas-Humboldt-Wright-Franklin-Butler-Bremer-Sac-Calhoun- Webster-Hamilton-Hardin-Grundy-Black Hawk-Marshall-Tama- 1006 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa. .DAY ONE...Tonight A few thunderstorms with gusty winds and moderate to heavy rains are possible through this evening. Minor flooding will also continue along the West Fork Des Moines River near Estherville for an extended period. Please refer to the National Weather Service website at weather.gov/desmoines for further details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Intermittent thunderstorm chances are expected Thursday night into the Memorial Day weekend. There is some potential for heavy rain late Thursday. While the severe and heavy rain risks will be better assessed in the coming days, concern is the cumulative rainfall will lead to additional river flooding and priming areas for flash flooding into the weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters may be needed off and on through the Memorial Day weekend, especially around Thursday Night. IAZ044>048-057>062-070>075-081>086-092>097-221100- Crawford-Carroll-Greene-Boone-Story-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Polk- Jasper-Poweshiek-Cass-Adair-Madison-Warren-Marion-Mahaska-Adams- Union-Clarke-Lucas-Monroe-Wapello-Taylor-Ringgold-Decatur-Wayne- Appanoose-Davis- 1006 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa. .DAY ONE...Tonight A few thunderstorms with gusty winds and moderate to heavy rains are possible early tonight. A few severe storms are possible into the early morning hours of Wednesday, mainly across central and west central Iowa. Isolated large hail or damaging wind gusts would be the threats, but the possibility of a brief tornado cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Intermittent thunderstorm chances are expected Thursday night into the Memorial Day weekend. There is some potential for heavy rain late Thursday. While the severe and heavy rain risks will be better assessed in the coming days, concern is the cumulative rainfall will lead to additional river flooding and priming areas for flash flooding into the weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters may be needed off and on through the Memorial Day weekend.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Des Moines IA 1216 AM CDT Wed May 22 2019 IAZ070-220545- Cass IA- 1216 AM CDT Wed May 22 2019 ...Strong Storm in Cass County... At 1216 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Griswold, or 12 miles south of Atlantic, moving north at 45 mph. Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Atlantic, Griswold, Anita, Lewis, Cumberland, Marne, Wiota, Lake Anita State Park, Griswold Park, Cold Springs State Park, Atlantic Municipal Airport and Anita Municipal Airport. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 4150 9515 4150 9470 4116 9488 4116 9516 TIME...MOT...LOC 0516Z 198DEG 38KT 4121 9501 Podrazik
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
1238 AM CDT Wed May 22 2019
IAZ070-071-081-220630-
Adams IA-Adair IA-Cass IA-
1238 AM CDT Wed May 22 2019
...Storm Producing Hail and Gusty Winds in Western Iowa...
At 1237 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lake Icaria, or near Corning, moving northeast at 45 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Greenfield, Corning, Stuart, Lake Icaria, Adair, Fontanelle, Massena,
Bridgewater, Nodaway, Carbon, Greenfield Municipal Airport, Nodaway
Park, Corning Municipal Airport and Lake Icaria State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 4090 9492 4112 9493 4150 9470 4150 9424
4090 9473
TIME...MOT...LOC 0537Z 208DEG 38KT 4105 9484
PodrazikSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Des Moines IA 129 AM CDT Wed May 22 2019 IAZ057-058-070-071-220715- Guthrie IA-Audubon IA-Adair IA-Cass IA- 129 AM CDT Wed May 22 2019 ...Hail and Heavy Rain in Western Iowa... At 128 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14 miles northwest of Greenfield, moving north at 25 mph. Penny size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Guthrie Center, Adair and Casey. LAT...LON 4140 9457 4143 9475 4169 9473 4169 9440 TIME...MOT...LOC 0628Z 190DEG 20KT 4146 9466 Podrazik
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Des Moines IA 140 AM CDT Wed May 22 2019 IAZ023>025-034>036-220745- Hamilton IA-Humboldt IA-Wright IA-Calhoun IA-Webster IA- Pocahontas IA- 140 AM CDT Wed May 22 2019 ...Strong Storms across Parts of Western Iowa... At 139 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms over Gowrie, or 16 miles south of Fort Dodge, moving north at 55 mph. Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Wind gusts of 48 mph were recorded as this storm moved through the Carroll area. Locations impacted include... Fort Dodge, Rockwell City, Dakota City, Humboldt, Eagle Grove, Manson, Gowrie, Fort Dodge Regional Airport, Dayton, Stratford, Goldfield, Coalville, Badger, Otho, Gilmore City, Lehigh, Duncombe, Livermore, Callender and Farnhamville. LAT...LON 4291 9375 4221 9393 4222 9464 4291 9450 TIME...MOT...LOC 0639Z 191DEG 47KT 4228 9425 Small
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
13 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
The Des Moines River at Ottumwa crested at 11.65 feet on 22 May 2019 at 10:30 UTC.
The Des Moines River at SE 6th Street in Des Moines crested at 27.43 feet on 25 May 2019 at 04:15 UTC, and a second time at 28.21 feet on 29 May 2019 at 15:15 UTC.
The Raccoon River at Des Moines Fleur Drive crested twice at 16.86 feet on 25 May 2019 at 06:30 UTC and at 17.42 feet on 29 May 2019 at 15:00 UTC.
Walnut Creek at Clive I-80/I-35 crested at 10.74 feet on 24 May 2019 at 16:50 UTC.
The North Raccoon River at Jefferson crested twice at 21.05 feet on 27 May 2019 at 09:30 UTC and at 20.25 feet on 30 May 2019 at 05:30 UTC.
The West Fork of the Des Moines River at Humboldt crested at 10.58 feet on 25 May 2019 at 23:30 UTC.
Fourmile Creek at Easton Boulevard in Des Moines crested at 12.97 feet on 24 May 2019 at 17:15 UTC.
The Des Moines River at Fort Dodge crested at 11.44 feet on 25 May 2019 at 22:45 UTC.
The North Raccoon River at Perry crested twice at 16.2 feet on 27 May 2019 at 13:45 UTC and at 15.22 feet on 30 May 2019 at 13:45 UTC.
The Iowa River at Tama Highway E49 crested at 13.32 feet on 26 May 2019 at 10:30 UTC.
The Cedar River at Cedar Falls crested at 90.02 feet on 26 May 2019 at 17:00 UTC.
The North River at Norwalk crested at 23.26 feet on 26 May 2019 at 03:45 UTC.
The Des Moines River at Ottumwa crested several times at the end of May. The first crest was at 12.51 feet on 25 May 2019 at 16:30 UTC, the second crest at 13.43 feet on 28 May 2019 at 02:40 UTC, and the third crest at 16.28 feet on 29 May 2019 at 20:10 UTC.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, May 2019
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: 822800, 822636, 822788, 822797, 822787, 822794, 822795, 822793, 822789, 822631, 822627, 822792, 822802.