It rained very hard in northeast Iowa the morning of August 28th. Storms moved over the same locations for several hours, resulting in several inches of rain, and some flash flooding in portions of Buchanan County.
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 DVN wrote it up.
It rained very hard in northeast Iowa the morning of August 28th. Storms moved over the same locations for several hours, resulting in several inches of rain, and some flash flooding in portions of Buchanan County. The heavy rain near Independence and much of northeast Iowa produced flooding on the Wapsipinicon and Turkey Rivers, which was a unique situation since that area was in a severe drought at the time.
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 Aug 28, 5:03 AM CST, 1 hour 57 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
603 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
...12z AVIATION UPDATE...
.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 235 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
Warm humid air is over the CWA, with an active frontal zone just to
the north of the Highway 20 corridor. This has been the focus for
heavy rain and strong thunderstorms again tonight, which has
gradually shifted south as the LLJ begins to veer. The question is
how far south the elevated storms will backbuild. So far, as of 2
AM, they've built westward and southward, despite a movement east
northeast on cells. For now, this MCS is already developed cells
farther south than any model had tonight, and looking at weak
returns it could keep going as far south as I-80 in Iowa and
Highway 20 in Illinois before sunrise.
&&
.SHORT TERM...(Today and Tonight)
ISSUED AT 235 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
1. Radar based forecast early today...
2. Heat and Humidity rule the rest...
The radar trends will be our primary concern early this morning, and
given that no model is handling this situation right now, I'll use
satellite and radar to draw in pops and storms for the north,
shading to a dry forecast around interstate 80. Heavy rain is the
only real threat from these storms, which are based around 7000 ft.
Hot and humid weather will continue today, but with the clouds this
morning, and a NBM forecast of deep mixing today, we end up with a
very marginal day for heat headlines. In fact, for most areas, I'm a
bit short of 100 degree criteria this afternoon, as dewpoints
drop back to the lower 70s in the deepest mixing hours. We already
have a advisory out for the south, and since we're close, I'll
keep that going.
Once this morning's activity wanes, we should be well south of the
action through tonight, as the boundary lifts north into Minnesota.
.LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday)
ISSUED AT 235 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
*Relief from the heat comes Sunday with a cold front passage;
temperatures fall into the 80s next week
*Periodic chances for precipitation continue but with more dry vs.
wet periods
[Discussion]
Sunday...
A weak cold front remains on track to pass through the area from
north to south to close out the weekend. As the previous discussion
alluded, the front has slowed progression in newest guidance, and
the trend looks to be continuing with the 00z suite of products.
Precipitation chances have also come down overall, as the best
forcing looks to be tied to a shortwave over the upper Mississippi
River Valley and the morning LLJ. Therefore, only expecting an
isolated to scattered coverage of showers and storms throughout
the day.
Northerly flow will accompany the front as it passes, with high
pressure ushering in a more pleasant air mass with dewpoints in the
upper 50s to mid 60s. This should be felt heading into Sunday night,
especially for areas north of I-80.
Monday through Tuesday...
The cold front will stall across the IA/MO border Monday, and will
remain stationary through mid-week. With the boundary in place and
weak forcing tied to it, this will result in continued daily chances
of showers and storms through at least Tuesday, especially with any
shortwaves that progress along it. Much of these chances look to be
diurnally driven, so expect more periods of dry conditions vs. rainy.
Temperatures will be more noticeably pleasant, especially the
further north you can get from the front. PM highs in the upper
70s to low 80s are expected during the period, with the cooler
values more favored up to the Hwy 20 corridor.
Wednesday on...
Eventually the front will get ushered further to the south as the
remnants of Ida make their way through the Ohio River Valley into
the northeast US. High pressure will follow behind the front,
giving us a precip-free midweek with a pleasant feel to the air.
Heading into the later part of the week, guidance is mixed as a
renewed round of southerly flow works into the area. Several global
models have a front moving through the area late Friday into
Saturday, while some remain dry with high pressure. Will maintain
the NBM POPs for this forecast, which advertise "slight chance"
to "chance".
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Sunday Morning)
ISSUED AT 602 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
The primary aviation concern for this TAF period is potential for
showers and storms within the next few hours at KDBQ. Given current
radar trends supporting activity remaining to the northwest, I have
left mention of RA and TSRA out. Otherwise, VFR condtions are
expected for the remainder of the period. Southerly winds will
become gusty to around 20 knots at times during the afternoon before
subsiding this evening.
&&
.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for Lee.
Heat Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 PM CDT this evening
for Des Moines-Henry IA-Van Buren.
IL...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for Hancock-McDonough.
Heat Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 PM CDT this evening
for Henderson-Warren.
MO...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for Clark-Scotland.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Ervin
SHORT TERM...Ervin
LONG TERM...Speck
AVIATION...SpeckHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 312 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-290815- 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- 312 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021 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 Thunderstorms north of Interstate 80 will bring the threat for localized heavy rainfall early this morning. Severe storms are not expected. Additional storms may form in Iowa late tonight, bringing a marginal risk for damaging winds. At this time, these storms are expected to remain west of eastern Iowa. Hot and humid weather is expected today into this evening. Widespread heat index readings of 95 to 100 are expected this afternoon, with some areas south of Interstate 80 exceeding 100. A heat advisory continues for southeast Iowa, west central Illinois, and northeast Missouri today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY There will be periodic chances for showers and thunderstorms through the period. The severe weather potential is uncertain heading into this week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected today and tonight. ERVIN
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
233 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
IAZ040-041-280815-
Buchanan IA-Delaware IA-
233 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Buchanan and
northwestern Delaware Counties through 315 AM CDT...
At 232 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Elk Run Heights, or 8 miles east of Waterloo, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Jesup around 245 AM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Independence,
Hazleton and Winthrop.
This includes Interstate 380 near mile marker 55.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and others in
the area, 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.
&&
LAT...LON 4244 9155 4234 9207 4247 9206 4247 9208
4264 9208 4264 9156
TIME...MOT...LOC 0732Z 260DEG 24KT 4247 9220
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
ErvinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
432 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
IAZ040-041-051-281015-
Buchanan IA-Delaware IA-Benton IA-
432 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Buchanan, northern
Benton and northwestern Delaware Counties through 515 AM CDT...
At 432 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Independence, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Quasqueton around 445 AM CDT.
Winthrop around 450 AM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Aurora, Masonville,
Lamont, Manchester, Edgewood and Dundee.
This includes Interstate 380 between mile markers 49 and 55.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4264 9140 4252 9131 4225 9207 4247 9206
4247 9208 4265 9172
TIME...MOT...LOC 0932Z 240DEG 28KT 4243 9193
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
ErvinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
521 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
IAZ040-041-051-281045-
Buchanan IA-Delaware IA-Benton IA-
521 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Buchanan, northern
Benton and northwestern Delaware Counties through 545 AM CDT...
At 521 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Jesup, or near Independence, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Rowley around 530 AM CDT.
Independence around 535 AM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Winthrop and
Aurora.
This includes Interstate 380 between mile markers 50 and 55.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4264 9140 4260 9136 4225 9207 4230 9208
4230 9206 4247 9206 4247 9208 4254 9208
4264 9174
TIME...MOT...LOC 1021Z 238DEG 28KT 4243 9200
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
ErvinThe Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 146 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:58 UTC.
1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Debris from water flood over many roads, including Highway 150. Ditches remain full through the morning, with lots of standing water at the fairgrounds into the late morning.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, August 2021
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: 976055.