National Weather Service

Disastrous forecast realized in Davenport flood

jposka Climate, Flooding, Uncategorized, water, Water quality, Weather , , , , ,

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Davenport flooding in 2011 (flickr).

Julia Poska|May 2, 2019

The Quad Cities have been preparing since the National Weather Service reported earlier this year a 95 percent chance of pronounced flooding in the area through May. As of Tuesday, their temporary barriers had been in place for 48 days. This week, their preparations proved insufficient.

Tuesday afternoon, Mississippi River floodwaters suddenly rushed into Davenport when HESCO Barriers — military grade defense boxes used to make temporary walls — succumbed to the force of the water. Officials saw early signs, the Quad City Times and Dispatch-Argus reported, and began urging people in some areas to evacuate when the temporary levees began breaking around 3:30 pm. The HESCO barriers had never been tested in waters above 21.5 feet, but as of 4:30 pm the Mississippi was at 21.87 feet, heading quickly to the expected 22.4 foot crest.

Not everyone received or took seriously the evacuation warnings, and many had to be rescued by boat after the fact. Once the water came rushing in, there was little time to take action. No serious injuries were reported.

The Weather Channel reported that floodwater began to recede Wednesday morning, and that at their peak levels surpassed 6 feet in some areas. A new expected crest of 22.7 feet is expected later today, which could surpass the 22.6 foot record set in 1993.

Scott County officials and Gov. Kim Reynolds are hoping President Trump’s earlier disaster declaration for western Iowa will extend into the Quad Cities area, local media reported.

 

 

Flood watch continues across Iowa; the latest in your part of the state

jposka Flooding, Infrastructure, Uncategorized, water, Weather , , , ,

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Check the Iowa Flood Information System for current alert statuses. 

Julia Poska | March 14, 2019

While Iowans rejoiced over spring-like weather this week after a long, brutal winter, flooding caused by rapid snowmelt and heavy rains has threatened communities across the state.

Iowa weather services have been reporting higher-than-average risks for major flooding this spring since late February, and many outlooks have only increased within the last week, according to the Des Moines Register. The risk is most pronounced along the Mississippi River, where a Quad Cities survey found the risk of flooding through May to be 95 percent last week. The National Weather Service says flooding in the Quad Cities could break records.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch Wednesday morning that will last until at least this evening across most of the state. In some areas the watch will extend into next week. Below is information on flooding and alerts throughout the state as of this morning.

East

  • Major flood stage was reached in Waterloo, Maquoketa and DeWitt as of Thursday morning. Moderate flood stage was reached in many areas Wednesday, including Kalona, Atkins and Augusta (IFIS).
  • Yesterday, Cedar Rapids expected a “moderate flood stage” when the Cedar River crests early next week. Officials said this should be fairly insignificant for residents. The city had already reached moderate flood stage as of Wednesday night (Gazette/IFIS).
  • An ice jam raised alarm in Ottumwa Wednesday morning, though it only caused minor agricultural flooding (Des Moines Register).

Central

  • Squaw Creek in Ames reached major flood stage Wednesday afternoon. As of Thursday morning, all areas were at or below moderate levels (IFIS).
  • An ice jam collapsed a bridge in Johnston Wednesday evening. The trail leading to the bridge had been closed prior to the collapse (Des Moines Register).
  • Des Moines Public Works closed parts of George Flagg Parkway and Fleur Avenue. These could remain closed for days (WHOtv).
  • An ice jam in the Raccoon River flooded rural communities in Dallas County (Des Moines Register).

West

  • Western Iowa was hit worst of all. As of Thursday morning, eight communities from north to south were at major flood stage (IFIS).
  • The Boyer River in Hogan and the West Nishnabotna River near Avoca reached major flood stage Wednesday afternoon. A Red Cross station was set up in Avoca for those displaced from homes (kwbe/IFIS).
  • Underwood in Pottawattamie County lost function of its sewer lift system Wednesday. Residents were asked to stop flushing toilets temporarily (kwbe).
  • Harrison County Emergency Management ordered a partial evacuation of Missouri Valley Wednesday night. As of 9:20pm, 2,600 people were underwater (Des Moines Register).
  • Several roads have been closed as well. Check 511ia.org for current closures. 

Take care around even shallowly flooded areas, especially when driving. Remember that while newly-purchased flood insurance takes 30 days to go into effect (and will therefore not help you this week), Iowa’s flood season has only just begun.

Visit the Iowa Flood Information System to monitor current flood alerts, stream levels and rainfall forecasts for your area.

National Weather Service Director to visit Iowa City

Nick Fetty Weather , , , , , , ,

Dr. Louis W. Uccellini earned his PhD in meteorology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has served as Director of the National Weather Service since 2013. (NOAA)
Dr. Louis W. Uccellini holds a PhD in meteorology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has served as Director of the National Weather Service since 2013. (NOAA)

Nick Fetty | October 14, 2014

National Weather Service (NWS) Director Louis W. Uccellini is will give a public seminar about how communities can better handle severe weather during his stop in Iowa City this week.

The presentation – “Building a Weather-Ready Nation: Advancing the NWS Hydrology Program” – will examine ways the NWS is building a network to better prepare communities for a range of natural disasters from drought and flooding to winter storms and hurricanes.

This will be followed up by a presentation from Don Cline, acting director of NWS Office of Hydrologic Development, entitled “Environmental Intelligence: Water 1.0 – The National Water Center and the Transformation of NOAA’s Water Prediction Services.” Cline will focus on how the NWS along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are working with the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Sciences, Inc. – which includes the University of Iowa as well as Iowa State University – to develop a water prediction network.

This two-part presentation is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. on October 15 in the Lehman Ballroom at Hotel Vitro and is open to the public. The two presentations will be followed up by a question and answer session with Dr. Uccellini and Dr. Cline.

Uccellini, Cline, and other members of the NWS will also visit the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) while on campus. NWS representatives will meet with staff from the IFC to discuss ways the two organizations can work together to better serve Iowa and the rest of the country.

Seminar Details

What: “Building a Weather-Ready Nation: Advancing the NWS Hydrology Program” presented by Louis W.Uccellini.

“Environmental Intelligence: Water 1.0 — The National Water Center and the Transformation of NOAA’s Water Prediction Services” presented by Don Cline.

When: Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Hotel Vetro, Lehman Ballroom, 201 South Linn St., Iowa City.

For now, flood forecast good news

malhughes Flooding, Land , , , , , , , ,

The Iowa River in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Iowa River in Iowa City, Iowa.

The National Weather Service issued its first flood potential outlook of the year last week.

Below are locations along the Iowa River and the probability that flooding will occur between now and May 26:

  • Iowa City: Minor flooding, less than 5 percent; moderate flooding, less than 5 percent; major flooding, less than 5 percent
  • Lone Tree: Minor flooding, 18 percent; moderate flooding, 12 percent; major flooding, less than 5 percent
  • Marengo: Minor flooding, 58 percent; moderate flooding, 35 percent; major flooding, less than 5 percent

However, experts are closely watching the frost depth of the ground as spring rains near.

For the full story, click here.

Iowa’s Push for National Flood Center

Jacklyn Even Flooding, Land, News, Politics , , , , , , ,

Photo by greghauenstein; Flickr

Congressman Dave Loebsack has proposed a plan that will create a institution, much like the University of Iowa Flood Center, that will bring together academic institutions and federal agencies. The goal of the National Flood Center would be to better understand flooding and possibly prevent damage.  Continue reading →

Wapsipinicon River Behavior Baffles Forecasters

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Photo by J. Stephen Conn; Flickr

 

While Independence avoided the predicted flood damage, areas around Anamosa through the De Witt area are still experiencing dangerous water levels.

Resources are being shifted from Independence to the areas that are seeing some of the worst record levels in history. Many homes near Anamosa have already been evacuated and are covered in water.

Thursday morning’s flood warning from the forecasters was ambiguous:

“There remains a great deal of uncertainty about why the river has not responded as previously expected considering the 4 to 7 inches of rain that fell on saturated ground Monday night.”

To read more about the Wapsi flood concerns, click here.

Iowa City officials monitor Iowa River levels and take precautionary measures

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Photo by Jerry Huddleston; Flickr

 The National Weather Service has announced that there could be a potential flood along the Iowa River later this week or next week based on heavy rain fall this week.

Continue reading →