May 2004 began rather dry with an average of only 0.19 inches of rain over the first week of the month.  However, the second week of May brought seasonally normal rainfall.  Heavy rain occurred during the third week of the month.  May's greatest rain events came back to back.  The first round of heavy rain producing thunderstorms began on the morning of the 21st and continued into the morning of the 22ns.  Heaviest rains were in North Central and Northeast Iowa where storm totals included 4.75 inches at Emmetsburg, 6.22 inches at Mason City, and 5.14 inches at Decorah.  Another round of storms began on the afternoon of the 22nd and continued into the morning of the 23rd.  Some of the rain totals reported with this second series of storms included 6.67 inches near Ames and 4.15 inches at Marshalltown.  A statewide average of 2.97 inches of rain fell from these two systems.  Locally heavy rain continued to fall through much of the remainder of the month.  The greatest rainfall amount occurred during the early morning hours of the 30th when 4.37 inches of rain fell at Fairfield.  Damage reports were still coming in but it does appear from preliminary reports that roughly six percent of Iowa's 2004 crop was flood out.  Based on a $23 per acre cost to replant it is estimated that the floods have cost Iowa farmers some $15.2 million dollars.  The rainfall that occurred over the later part of May was Iowa's greatest since July 1993.  Rainfall totals for the month varied form 4.01 inches at Burlington to 14.87 inches at Lansing.  Radar derived estimates suggest that May rainfall was actually below normal in some areas over the far Northwest...such as Buena Vista and Van Buren Counties.  However, complete rain gage reports were not yet available for these areas.  Excessive rainfall produced major flooding in many areas across the state during the second half of May.  This was the first widespread major flood event in many years.  The heaviest rainfall occurred over the Northeastern sections of the state.  Additionally, several episodes of severe thunderstorms produced large hail, high winds, and tornadoes during May.  Severe weather was reported on 15 days during the month with all but 7 of Iowa's 99 counties reporting severe thunderstorm events.  The month's largest severe weather outbreaks occurred on the 8th (26 counties, mostly west central to northeast) ; 17th (20 counties, mostly southwest to east central); 21st (37 counties, mostly northwest to east central); 22nd (31 counties, mostly southwest to east central) and the 24th (33 counties, mostly southwest one half).  An exact tornado count is not yet available for the state, but central Iowa did report 32 tornadoes for the month with an estimated total of 50 tornadoes statewide.  Nearly all were F0 and F1 intensity with minimal damage to communities.  There was a tornado of F2 intensity that did produce significant damage to the communities of Bradgate and Palo (both on May 21).

Flood in AUDUBON, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in ADAIR, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in ADAMS, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in POWESHIEK, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in RINGGOLD, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in SAC, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in STORY, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in TAMA, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in TAYLOR, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in UNION, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in WAYNE, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in WEBSTER, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in WINNEBAGO, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in WORTH, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in WRIGHT, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in BLACK HAWK, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in BOONE, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in BREMER, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in BUTLER, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in CALHOUN, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in CARROLL, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in CASS, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in CERRO GORDO, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in CLARKE, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in CRAWFORD, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in DALLAS, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in DAVIS, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in DECATUR, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in EMMET, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in FRANKLIN, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in GREENE, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in GRUNDY, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in GUTHRIE, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in HAMILTON, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in HANCOCK, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in HARDIN, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in HUMBOLDT, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in JASPER, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in KOSSUTH, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in LUCAS, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in MADISON, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in MAHASKA, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in MARION, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in MARSHALL, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in MONROE, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in PALO ALTO, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in POCAHONTAS, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in WAPELLO, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in WARREN, IOWA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 31-MAY-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: .1M
Crop damage: .2980392156862745M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.