Flash Flooding and Hail in Iowa, May 28 to 29, 2019

Name: Flash Flooding and Hail in Iowa, May 28 to 29, 2019
Start: 2019-05-28T15:30
End: 2019-05-29T01:30
Location: Iowa

May 28 to 29, 2019 · NWS DVN · 15 events in 9 counties and zones

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 15

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 DVN wrote it up.

A frontal boundary settled across northern Kansas, northern Missouri and central Illinois. This front was the focus area for the development of several rounds of showers and thunderstorms that impacted the region. The first round came through during the morning, and produced mainly torrential rainfall, small hail, brief wind gusts and frequent lightning. |The second round of showers and thunderstorms developed and passed across the region during the late afternoon and evening hours. A segment of thunderstorms became severe along and south of Highway 34, and produced damaging wind gusts near 70 MPH. This led to several reports of wind damage from Burlington eastward to Roseville. Additionally, prolonged torrential rainfall over already saturated grounds lead to numerous reports of flash flooding across the area.

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 Quad Cities, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 28, 1:56 PM CST, 1 hour 34 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 28, 1:56 PM CST, 1 hour 34 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
256 PM CDT Tue May 28 2019

.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 254 PM CDT Tue May 28 2019

18Z surface data has low pressure in central Kansas near KGBD. The
frontal boundary ran east northeast from the low across northern
Missouri into central Illinois. A remnant boundary ran from
southeast Wisconsin into southwest Iowa. Dew points north of the
stationary front were in the 40s and 50s. South of the front dew
points were in the 60s and 70s.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Wednesday)
ISSUED AT 254 PM CDT Tue May 28 2019

Convection between KDSM and KALO will catch the the far northwest
part of the area late this afternoon. While this is going on
convection in northern Missouri and western Iowa will organize into
a severe storm complex.

This evening the storm complex will move across the area with very
heavy rain. The greatest risk for severe storms is generally south
of an Ottumwa, IA to Galesburg, IL. However severe storms will still
be possible all the way up to highway 20.

Depending upon how the storm complex organizes late this afternoon
and evening the potential is there for storms to repeat over the
same areas. Given the amount of moisture streaming north the
potential is there for storms to produce 1-2 inches of rain in a
very short time frame.

Late tonight the severe risk will diminish but widespread rain with
embedded thunderstorms will continue. The rain will slowly end from
west to east toward morning.

On Wednesday the rain will continue to end across the area during
the morning. However with an additional upper level disturbance
forecast to move across the area, a new round of diurnal convection
is expected in the afternoon. How widespread the coverage becomes
will depend upon how much heating occurs during the day.

If there is some good news regarding the rain on Wednesday, it
should not be heavy as the deep moisture feed will be east of the
area. However given the saturated state of the ground any additional
rainfall will quickly runoff into area waterways.

.LONG TERM...(Wednesday Night through Tuesday)
ISSUED AT 254 PM CDT Tue May 28 2019

The active stalled front will remain in play for Wednesday night
and Thursday, before sliding southeast of the region for several
days. It's hard to be too specific on locations for the storm
development, which results in a rather broad swath of lighter rains
than it will be in reality. Given that, there remains potential for
isolated heavy rains, and isolated flash flooding through Thursday.
Storms interacting with the front, will potentially be able to
produce tornadoes.

The extended has largely been left unaltered from the initial grided
blend. the pattern becomes more active again toward the weekend,
after a rather pleasant Friday. Temperatures should mainly be in the
70s in the day, and mid 50s to lower 60s at night.  The broad scale
seems less likely for repeat heavy rains, but is also not a
seasonally dry pattern as well.  At least it's not an west to east
front, which is our current pattern.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday Afternoon)
ISSUED AT 1231 PM CDT Tue May 28 2019

Decaying storm complex along the Mississippi river will move east
across northern Illinois. MVFR/IFR conditions across eastern Iowa
and northern Illinois will improve to VFR/MVFR with scattered
TSRA through 00z/29. After 29z/00 a large TSRA complex will move
across eastern Iowa and northern Illinois with widespread MVFR/IFR
conditions. Very heavy rain and severe storms are also possible.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 1128 AM CDT Tue May 28 2019

Heavy rain continues to be the driver of additional flooding to
area rivers. A couple things, the morning rains have been
significant along the Interstate 80 corridor, in Iowa. This
activity may enhance the flooding on the Iowa, Cedar, and lower
Wapsipinicon, but this is short term ongoing rain, and it's impact
will be accounted for in this evening's forecasts.

The Mississippi River will be impacted by tonight's rain, as will
all other tributaries. However, the over all rain potential for
heavy amounts now looks to fall far enough south that the
tributaries will be mainly one's downstream of Fulton through Quad
Cities. If that's the case, the forecast could need to be lowered
for the this area, up to a half foot from current forecast levels.
Conversely, if the storms end up tracking north of Interstate 80
tonight with more than 1 inch or rain, then we may yet still see
levels 21 to 21.4 feet on the Quad Cities/Mississippi River. The
reason this is all so critical, is the fact we're relying on heavy
rain exact QPF placement with saturated soils. So, where storms
happen, very significant run off will happen, with flash flooding
also, but if they miss to the south, this significant impact is
removed largely. Thus, we have lower than normal confidence in the
exact crest upstream of Muscatine.

The Des Moines River is now forecast to see moderate to Major
flooding from Keosaqua through St Francisville. Heavy rain, of 1
to 2.5 inches is forecast in this basin tonight. Due to the
persistent wet weather, the Red Rock Reservoir is now approaching
full pool, and unable be used to hold back water to help mitigate
downstream flooding. Thus, with heavy rain forecast, we are likely
to see significant flooding happen on the Des Moines River.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for Benton-Buchanan-
     Cedar-Clinton-Delaware-Des Moines-Dubuque-Henry IA-Iowa-
     Jackson-Jefferson-Johnson-Jones-Keokuk-Lee-Linn-Louisa-
     Muscatine-Scott-Van Buren-Washington.

IL...Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for Bureau-Carroll-
     Hancock-Henderson-Henry IL-Jo Daviess-McDonough-Mercer-
     Putnam-Rock Island-Stephenson-Warren-Whiteside.

MO...Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for Clark-Scotland.

&&

SYNOPSIS...08
SHORT TERM...08
LONG TERM...Ervin
AVIATION...08
HYDROLOGY...Ervin

Hazardous weather outlook, May 28, 8:58 AM CST, 6 hours 32 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
958 AM CDT Tue May 28 2019

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-291500-
Buchanan-Delaware-Dubuque-Benton-Linn-Jones-Jackson-Iowa-Johnson-
Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-Washington-Louisa-Jefferson-
Henry IA-Des Moines-Van Buren-Lee-Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Carroll-
Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL-Bureau-Putnam-Mercer-Henderson-
Warren-Hancock-McDonough-Scotland-Clark-
958 AM CDT Tue May 28 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northwest Illinois...west central Illinois...east
central Iowa...northeast Iowa...southeast Iowa and northeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

Severe thunderstorms are likely this afternoon through this
evening. The Storm Prediction Center has a moderate risk for
severe storms south of a line Sigourney, Iowa to Sherrard,
Illinois. An enhanced risk for severe storms is up to Interstate
80. North of Interstate 80 there is a slight risk of severe
storms.

Severe weather risks today include damaging winds, large hail and
tornadoes. Strong tornadoes are possible. The severe risk is
greatest with storms is greatest with storms that occur along a
stalled boundary from northern Missouri into central Illinois.

Severe storms are most likely from 4 to 11 PM but isolated severe
storms cannot be ruled out outside of this time frame.

Heavy rainfall is possible, which may lead to flash flooding as
soils are saturated around the region. A flash flood watch has
been issued for the entire area today and tonight.

Area rivers are experiencing flooding. Please see the
latest Flood Statements and Flood Warnings for details.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

As the upper level system lingers over the Midwest, a marginal
risk of severe thunderstorms is forecast for the area Wednesday.
Otherwise no severe weather is expected during this time frame.

Flooding will continue, though light rain Wednesday and Thursday
will not seriously add to the flooding problem. Another chance of
rain is forecast for the weekend, but it is too early to ascertain
whether this will exacerbate the flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation and amateur radio activation is likely
especially this afternoon and evening.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 28, 11:45 AM CST, 3 hours 45 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
1245 PM CDT Tue May 28 2019

IAZ054-063>068-076>078-087>089-ILZ007-009-015-024-281930-
Jackson-Iowa-Johnson-Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-
Washington-Louisa-Jefferson-Henry IA-Des Moines-Carroll-Whiteside-
Rock Island-Mercer-
Including the cities of Maquoketa, Marengo, Iowa City, Tipton,
Clinton, Muscatine, Davenport, Bettendorf, Sigourney, Washington,
Wapello, Fairfield, Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Mount Carroll,
Sterling, Moline, Rock Island, and Aledo
1245 PM CDT Tue May 28 2019

...Strong Southeast Winds...

A period of strong southeast winds will occur as the rain ends
over the area. The strong sustained winds will last around one
hour at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts to 50 mph. Small tree branch
damage is likely, as well as difficult driving in open areas.

ERVIN

Local storm report, May 28, 12:36 PM CST, 2 hours 54 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
136 PM CDT TUE MAY 28 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0133 PM     HEAVY RAIN       1 SSE MORRISON          41.80N 89.96W
05/28/2019  E1.00 INCH       WHITESIDE          IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            2 SEPARATE 0.50 /10 MIN RAINS. MINOR STREET
            FLOODING JUST SHORT OF CURB DEEP.

&&

DC

Local storm report, May 28, 12:50 PM CST, 2 hours 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
150 PM CDT TUE MAY 28 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0136 PM     TORNADO          1 S HOUGHTON            40.77N 91.61W
05/27/2019                   LEE                IA   NWS STORM SURVEY

            EF1 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN SOUTH OF HOUGHTON
            STRIKING A METAL BUILDING. THE ROOF WAS
            REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING AND THE WINDS WERE
            ESTIMATED AT 100 MPH.

&&

ARG/DC/RPK/SCK

Local storm report, May 28, 2:32 PM CST, 58 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
332 PM CDT TUE MAY 28 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0205 PM     TORNADO          3 SW BURLINGTON         40.76N 91.19W
05/27/2019                   DES MOINES         IA   NWS STORM SURVEY

            VIDEO AND PICTURE EVIDENCE OF A TORNADO
            OCCURRING AT THIS LOCATION. HOWEVER, THERE
            HAVE BEEN NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE NEAR THE
            TOUCHDOWN.

&&

ARG/DC/RPK/SCK

Local storm report, May 28, 2:38 PM CST, 52 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
338 PM CDT TUE MAY 28 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0205 PM     TORNADO          3 SW BURLINGTON         40.73N 91.19W
05/27/2019                   DES MOINES         IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SPOTTER OBSERVED A TORNADO TOUCH DOWN
            LOOKING NORTH OF LOCATION HEADING TOWARD
            SPRING GROVE WHILE ON PHONE WITH NWS. TIME
            EXACT. DO HAVE PICTURE AND VIDEO EVIDENCE OF
            THE TORNADO. HOWEVER, NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED
            NEAR THE TOUCHDOWN.

&&

ARG/DC/RPK/SCK

Special weather statement, May 28, 3:27 PM CST, 3 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
427 PM CDT Tue May 28 2019

IAC087-101-111-177-MOC045-282215-
Henry-Van Buren-Jefferson-Lee-Clark-
427 PM CDT Tue May 28 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN HENRY...VAN BUREN...
JEFFERSON...NORTHWESTERN LEE AND NORTHWESTERN CLARK COUNTIES UNTIL
515 PM CDT...

At 426 PM CDT, a cluster of strong thunderstorms was located over
Milton, or 12 miles north of Memphis, moving northeast at 45 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Fairfield, Keosauqua, Batavia, Birmingham, Milton, Bonaparte, Salem,
Libertyville, Stockport, Lockridge, Maharishi Vedic City, Cantril,
Packwood, Hillsboro, Rome, Westwood, Douds, Abingdon,
Bentonsport/Vernon and Leando.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm. Minor flooding
of low lying areas, creeks, streams and urban areas is possible. If
you encounter water over a roadway, do not drive through it.

LAT...LON 4106 9218 4116 9213 4116 9211 4088 9141
      4058 9192 4058 9194 4061 9194 4060 9203
      4063 9218
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 235DEG 43KT 4065 9221

Ervin

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 169 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:29 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 flash flood, 4 thunderstorm wind, 3 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Van Buren

When: May 28, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Van Buren County, 0.52 mi E of Milton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.670, -92.160

Flash Flood, Washington

When: May 28, 4:39 PM CST to 7:39 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 2.62 mi W of Kalona Arpt to 1.28 mi ESE of Wellman
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.486, -91.780

Street flooding in Kalona, mainly on south side of town.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: May 28, 5:14 PM CST to 9:14 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Batavia to 0.74 mi E of Batavia
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.000, -92.170

Photos sent of creek out of its banks, running over roads in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: May 28, 5:54 PM CST
Where: Henry County, 2.14 mi NNW of New London
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.950, -91.410

The spotter reported 50 to 60 mph wind gusts.

Hail, Henry

When: May 28, 5:58 PM CST
Where: Henry County, 2.6 mi SW of New London
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.890, -91.430

Thunderstorm Wind, Lee

When: May 28, 6:08 PM CST
Where: Lee County, 0.52 mi W of Franklin
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.670, -91.510

Pea sized hail and heavy rain also reported.

Hail, Des Moines

When: May 28, 6:14 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.48 mi SSE of Beaverdale
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.830, -91.210

Thunderstorm Wind, Des Moines

When: May 28, 6:14 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.48 mi SSE of Beaverdale
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.830, -91.210

Winds gusting to at least 65 mph and torrential rain.

Thunderstorm Wind, Des Moines

When: May 28, 6:19 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 0.69 mi S of (Brl)burlington Muni
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.770, -91.130

Flash Flood, Van Buren

When: May 28, 6:30 PM CST to 9:30 PM CST
Where: Van Buren County, 1.05 mi NNE of Bonaparte Arpt to 1.56 mi WSW of Indian Lake Park
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.664, -91.813

Water was quickly flowing over Highway 2 in Farmington.

Flash Flood, Des Moines

When: May 28, 6:47 PM CST to 9:47 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.73 mi NE of Beaverdale to 1.52 mi ENE of Beaverdale
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.870, -91.200

Flint Creek water flowing over Flint Bottom Road and affecting the Flint Creek Bridge.

Flash Flood, Johnson

When: May 28, 6:54 PM CST to 10:54 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 1.72 mi SW of Oakdale to 0.98 mi W of Coralville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.680, -91.640

Deer Creek rose rapidly from no flooding to moderate flood stage due to heavy rain.

Flash Flood, Iowa

When: May 28, 7:02 PM CST to 10:02 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 2.4 mi NE of North English to 2.06 mi S of Parnell
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.543, -92.045

The North English River, west of Q Avenue rose above flood stage rapidly due to the heavy rain.

Flash Flood, Washington

When: May 28, 7:03 PM CST to 9:03 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 5.86 mi WNW of Wellman to 6.77 mi WNW of Wellman
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.490, -91.940

An IFC river gage near 338th Avenue, on the South English River rapidly rose over flood stage due to heavy heavy rain.

Flash Flood, Louisa

When: May 28, 10:30 PM CST to May 29, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Louisa County, 2.19 mi WNW of Columbus City to 1.45 mi WNW of Columbus City
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.287, -91.416

Highway 92 was damaged by flash flooding just west of Columbus Junction. The highway was cracked and needed to be closed.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Iowa in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, May 2019

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: 826740, 826714, 826715, 826743, 826741, 826744, 826742, 826745, 826746, 826717, 826718, 826720, 826724, 826738, 826739.