NOW: Thunderstorms with heavy rainfall rates will move into northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota by early afternoon. 1-2″ of rain is possible with this wave of storms. BE READY for flash flooding, lightning, possibly damaging winds!
Through Tuesday: We are in a possible CATASTROPHIC FLOODING set up with 2-5 inches of probable for parts of the area…and locally 6-8 inches! Should this rain occur, and because of the very wet soils, it will cause failures in infrastructure that have not been seen in this region recently (but would be similar to August 18 2007). A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through Tuesday morning.
CONSIDER: Not traveling at night, not using waterways, for canoing or camping along, through Wednesday. Staying close to home to manage heavy rainfall and staying safe.
What we expect:
- Additional heavy rainfall with more flooding. 2-5″ today through Tuesday night, possibly 6-8″ in very local areas.
- Creeks, streams, and rivers rise dangerously – possibly to record levels! Moving water to become a major threat to human life in prolonged heavy rain areas.
- Widespread road closures.
- Numerous mudslides along terrain.
- Flooded basements, homes.
- Damaging winds, hail, and frequent lightning with any stronger storms
- A change in the weather pattern by mid week with no heavy rainfall expected after Wednesday.