A strong spring storm system moved from the central Plains into the Great Lakes region from 12 March to 13 March 2006.  An initial low level jet of 30-40 knots increased to 40-50 knots after sunset on 12 March which increased the available moisture for thunderstorms and heavy rain development.A series of upper level disturbances developed waves of thunderstorms during the afternoon and overnight hours along and north of the warm front.  Low freezing and wet bulb zero levels north of the warm front resulted in the storms being prolific hail producers.  Outflow boundaries left over from the initial thunderstorm waves combined with the northward moving warm front provided the focus for locally heavy rainfall that lead to flash flooding in the Quad Cities metropolitan area.

Hail in LOUISA, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:33:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:33:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

The supercell entered Louisa county from northwest Des Moines and Henry counties producing hail up to 1.75 inches (golfball).  Morning Sun saw 1.75 inch hail around 1833 CST.  After passing over Morning Sun, the supercell appeared to fall apart with no additional hail reports being received.

Hail in LOUISA, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:33:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:33:00 (CST)
Location: MORNING SUN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 30K
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD

At the fire station

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 19:19:00 to 12-MAR-06 19:19:00 (CST)
Location: YARMOUTH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 19:12:00 to 12-MAR-06 19:12:00 (CST)
Location: NEW LONDON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 19:17:00 to 12-MAR-06 19:17:00 (CST)
Location: PLEASANTGROVE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 19:30:00 to 12-MAR-06 19:30:00 (CST)
Location: DOUDS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 6K
Reported by: INSURANCE COMPANY

hail damage to a car

Hail in LOUISA, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 19:36:00 to 12-MAR-06 19:36:00 (CST)
Location: WAPELLO
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:00:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:00:00 (CST)
Location: UTICA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Rain in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:00:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:00:00 (CST)
Location: UTICA
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

3 feet of water in fields

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:00:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:28:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 20K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

The supercell from Van Buren County moved into Henry County and continued into northwest Des Moines county and then into Louisa county and produced hail ranging from .88 inch (nickel) to 2.00 inches.  Hail of 1.75 to 2.00 inches fell south of Mt Pleasant with confirmed hail of at least 1.25 inches in the city of Mt Pleasant.

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:28:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:28:00 (CST)
Location: MT UNION
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime to quarter size hail

Hail in LOUISA, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 15:00:00 to 12-MAR-06 15:00:00 (CST)
Location: WAPELLO
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Funnel Cloud in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 16:36:00 to 12-MAR-06 16:37:00 (CST)
Location: PACKWOOD
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Funnel cloud off to the south

Hail in JONES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 16:56:00 to 12-MAR-06 16:58:00 (CST)
Location: ANAMOSA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Wind driven hail damaged some cars

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 17:42:00 to 12-MAR-06 17:46:00 (CST)
Location: KEOSAUQUA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 30K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Emergency manager's truck damaged. There is probable unknown damage to residences and cars in town as well.

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 17:42:00 to 12-MAR-06 17:55:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail ranging from 1.00 inch (quarter) to 1.75 inch (golfball) fell from Keosauqua northeast to the Van Buren/Henry county line from a supercell.  Trained spotters, the emergency manager, and the Keosauqua co-operative observer reported 1.00-1.75 inch hail covering the ground in Keosauqua around 1745 CST. One inch hail occurred in Utica during the 1750-1754 CST time period along with heavy rain.

Hail in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 20:40:00 to 12-MAR-06 20:40:00 (CST)
Location: LONE TREE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime size hail & heavy rain

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:50:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:54:00 (CST)
Location: BURLINGTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 20K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Nickel to golfball sized hail; also reported by NWS personnel.

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:50:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:50:00 (CST)
Location: BURLINGTON ARPT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

NWS electronic technicians reported damage to KBRL ASOS during a scheduled maintenance in April. There was possibly some damage done to buildings and planes at the airport.  Time estimated based on radar, observations, and other reports.

Hail in JACKSON, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 20:55:00 to 12-MAR-06 20:55:00 (CST)
Location: MONMOUTH
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime size hail

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:25:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:25:00 (CST)
Location: FARMINGTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime size hail

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:50:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:51:00 (CST)
Location: MEDIAPOLIS
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

just east of the city; also estimated 50 mph winds

Thunderstorm Wind in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:50:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:50:00 (CST)
Location: BURLINGTON
Magnitude: 52 EG
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Heavy Rain in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:05:00 to 12-MAR-06 22:44:00 (CST)
Location: MUSCATINE
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy rain of unknown amounts fell in just under 2 hours in Muscatine.  At the intersection of Leroy Street and Bidwell Road a 10 by 12 foot section of pavement buckled and sank 3-4 inches.  There was a pre-existing crack in the pavement and water running down Leroy Street ran into the crack and scoured out the sub-roadbed.

Hail in CEDAR, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 17:14:00 to 12-MAR-06 17:14:00 (CST)
Location: LOWDEN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

from co-op observer; dime size hail

Hail in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 19:37:00 to 12-MAR-06 19:39:00 (CST)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime size hail

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 14:03:00 to 12-MAR-06 14:03:00 (CST)
Location: BIRMINGHAM
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime size hail; estimated 40 to 50 mph winds

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:30:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:33:00 (CST)
Location: VIELE
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

An empty semi traveling south on U.S. 61 was hit by a wind gust just after going over a railroad overpass.  The gust blew the semi into the ditch and turned it on its side.

Heavy Rain in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 22:03:00 to 12-MAR-06 22:03:00 (CST)
Location: BURLINGTON
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

minor street flooding on Madison Ave.

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:49:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:49:00 (CST)
Location: MIDDLETOWN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Also heavy rain

Heavy Rain in SCOTT, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 15:30:00 to 12-MAR-06 23:50:00 (CST)
Location: DAVENPORT
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

3.50 inches of rain in 8 hours.

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:00:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:00:00 (CST)
Location: HILLSBORO
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:49:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:49:00 (CST)
Location: MIDDLETOWN
Magnitude: 52 EG
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

estimated 60 mph gust

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:10:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:28:00 (CST)
Location: MT PLEASANT
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 100K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Also reported by spotters. A WQAD-TV weather spotter (John and Alice Held) in Mt Pleasant took a picture of the hail with a quarter placed beside it as a size reference. Hail sizes in Mt Pleasant ranged from 0.70 inches (dime) to 1.25 inches.

Hail in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 20:15:00 to 12-MAR-06 20:15:00 (CST)
Location: MUSCATINE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Hail in BUCHANAN, IOWA
From 13-MAR-06 01:21:00 to 13-MAR-06 01:21:00 (CST)
Location: FAIRBANK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

nickel to quarter sized hail; hail 1 inch deep on ground

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:07:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:07:00 (CST)
Location: SALEM
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:24:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:24:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

The supercell from Henry County Iowa clipped the northwest corner of Des Moines county producing severe hail.  The only hail report was north of Yarmouth were 1 inch hail was observed during the 1823-26 CST time period.

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 20:44:00 to 12-MAR-06 20:45:00 (CST)
Location: FARMINGTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime size hail

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:24:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:24:00 (CST)
Location: YARMOUTH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 3K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Also heavy rain

Heavy Rain in LOUISA, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:28:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:53:00 (CST)
Location: WAPELLO
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

moderate street flooding

Flash Flood in SCOTT, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 19:53:00 to 13-MAR-06 01:00:00 (CST)
Location: BETTENDORF
Property damage: 400K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorms trained across the Quad City Metro area and produced rainfall rates exceeding 1 inch per 30 minutes.  At 2000 CST an off duty NWS employee reported 2 feet of water over the roads in his neighborhood along the Bettendorf/Davenport city limits. By 2134 CST media and law enforcement were reporting water 4 inches deep was flowing into the Davenport Police Station on Harrision street.  Numerous streets were closed due to high water; Harrision by the police station and River Drive in several spots. The media was reporting sinkholes developing on some streets in Davenport with some residences flooded. Although unknown at the time, the Federal Building in downtown Davenport had its basement partially flooded. Near the Oscar Mayer/Kraft plant, 2-3 feet of water was on second street while River Drive and 3rd street by the Quad City Times Newspaper had thigh deep water. The flash flooding in Davenport was exacerbated from winter debris blocking storm drains and therefore preventing or restricting the amount of water getting into storm sewers.By 2230 CST, spotters and the media were reporting that flooding in downtown Davenport was beginning to recede.  It is unknown how many buildings received water inside them but it is probably safe to say it was a few dozen. The flooding of the police station was caused by a police car blocking a storm sewer drain. A city engineer with Davenport concluded that this level of flooding was typical for a 15 to 20 year event.KMLI ASOS reported 1.78 inches of rain for 12 March 2006 of which 1.66 inches fell during the 1800-2400 CST time period. At the same time, the KDVN ASOS reported 1.05 inches of rain for 12 March 2006. The heaviest rain occurred during the 1900-2300 CST time period in a narrow band in between the two ASOS sites.  The highest know rainfall amount occurred in central Davenport where 3.50 inches of rain fell. The closeness of the heavy rainband to the KDVN 88D resulted in a severe underestimation of the rainfall. Rainfall estimates from the distant KILX and KLOT 88D sites indicate 3-4 inches of rain fell.

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 18:07:00 to 12-MAR-06 18:07:00 (CST)
Location: MT PLEASANT
Magnitude: 2.00 
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Tennis ball sized hail was reported to be breaking windows on cars.

Hail in BENTON, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:28:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:28:00 (CST)
Location: NORWAY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in LEE, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:46:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:46:00 (CST)
Location: FT MADISON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Rain in SCOTT, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 19:33:00 to 12-MAR-06 19:45:00 (CST)
Location: DAVENPORT
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Street flooding at Bridge and East 37th

Hail in SCOTT, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 19:37:00 to 12-MAR-06 19:39:00 (CST)
Location: WALCOTT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 20:00:00 to 12-MAR-06 20:00:00 (CST)
Location: WASHINGTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 3K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

just west of town

Hail in SCOTT, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 20:10:00 to 12-MAR-06 20:10:00 (CST)
Location: LE CLAIRE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime to nickel sized hail

Hail in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 20:13:00 to 12-MAR-06 20:13:00 (CST)
Location: BRIGHTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime to nickel sized hail

Heavy Rain in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 20:40:00 to 12-MAR-06 20:40:00 (CST)
Location: LONE TREE
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

also dime sized hail

Hail in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 20:09:00 to 12-MAR-06 20:11:00 (CST)
Location: MUSCATINE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

covered the ground

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 20:55:00 to 12-MAR-06 20:55:00 (CST)
Location: PLEASANTGROVE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 20:56:00 to 12-MAR-06 20:57:00 (CST)
Location: BIRMINGHAM
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 4K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:00:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:00:00 (CST)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

penny to nickel sized hail

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:00:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:15:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

limbs down across the southern part of the county

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:05:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:05:00 (CST)
Location: SALEM
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:12:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:12:00 (CST)
Location: MT PLEASANT
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:20:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:20:00 (CST)
Location: HILLSBORO
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in CLINTON, IOWA
From 12-MAR-06 21:18:00 to 12-MAR-06 21:20:00 (CST)
Location: CLINTON
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Sign down. Transformer struck by lightning