Widespread major to near record flooding continued on the Mississippi River into May.  The month began with continued major flooding along the Mississippi River generally from Burlington northward, and moderate flooding south of Burlington.  Continued rain, heavy at times, kept the river above flood stage for most of May.  In fact heavy rains helped lead to a second crest on the Mississippi River.  This second crest was higher than the first crest, from Keithsburg southward.  Persistent heavy rains, especially over Southeast Iowa, Northeast Missouri and West Central Illinois, led to flooding on Mississippi River tributaries, which in turn led to a third crest on the Mississippi River, along with prolonged flooding.  The third crest was higher than the second crest, from Burlington southward.  Once the Mississippi River began falling, it fell rapidly at times.  During the falling limb, Mississippi River stage changes over 24 hour periods were as much as around 1 foot or more.  Listed are the crests for the month of May for points along the Mississippi River:  Dubuque Lock and Dam 11, 22.14 feet on the 6th; Dubuque 23.81 feet on the 6th; Bellevue Lock and Dam 12, 21.36 feet on the 6th; Fulton Lock and Dam 13, 22.07 feet on the 7th; Camanche 22.58 feet on the 8th; Le Claire Lock and Dam 14, 15.96 feet on the 8th; Quad Cities Lock and Dam 15, 21.31 feet on the 8th; Illinois City Lock and Dam 16, 21.49 feet on the 11th; Muscatine 22.75 feet on the 11th; New Boston Lock and Dam 17, 22.33 feet on the 12th; Keithsburg 20.72 feet on the 12th; Gladstone Lock and Dam 18, 17.65 feet on 13th and 17.5 feet on the 14th; Burlington 21.71 feet on the 13th and 21.82 feet on the 15th; Keokuk Lock and Dam 19, 21.69 feet on the 12th and 22.94 feet on the 15th; Gregory Landing, 22.81 feet on the 12th. President Bush declared 10 counties in Iowa as federal disaster areas due to the flooding; Allamakee, Clayton, Clinton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Jackson, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine and Scott.  Governor George Ryan declared disaster areas in 10 counties, including Carroll, Jo Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside. Damage estimates were well into the millions of dollars, with several thousand labor hours involved in flood fighting efforts.  The city of Dubuque's flood costs alone were nearly a half million dollars.

Flood in CLINTON, IOWA
From 01-MAY-01 01:00:00 to 21-MAY-01 19:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 01-MAY-01 01:00:00 to 30-MAY-01 06:15:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in DUBUQUE, IOWA
From 01-MAY-01 01:00:00 to 19-MAY-01 17:30:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in JACKSON, IOWA
From 01-MAY-01 01:00:00 to 20-MAY-01 18:30:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in LEE, IOWA
From 01-MAY-01 01:00:00 to 24-MAY-01 02:30:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in LOUISA, IOWA
From 01-MAY-01 01:00:00 to 26-MAY-01 18:30:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 01-MAY-01 01:00:00 to 24-MAY-01 10:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in SCOTT, IOWA
From 01-MAY-01 01:00:00 to 23-MAY-01 14:30:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.