Wet weather was the rule through most of May.   However, a very welcome dry period at mid month finally allowed spring planting to progress.   A statewide average of only 0.07 inches of rain fell between the afternoon of the 11th and the evening of the 22nd.   The heaviest rains of the month arrived on the 29th-30th when a statewide average of 2.05 inches of rain fell.   Flooding was widespread during this event from west central to northeast Iowa where 3 to 5 inch rain totals were common.   Monthly precipitation totals varied from 3.00 inches at Lansing to 11.01 inches at Boone.   The total at Boone was a new record for the month of May among 111 years of record at that location (old record 10.24 inches in 1990).  The heavy rainfall on the 29th and 30th caused a strong response on area rivers.  Many locations reached at least moderate flooding.  Central Iowa was hard hit as the heavy rainfall centered on the Boone area caused creeks and streams to rise to between 4 and 7 feet above flood stage.  There were some road closures in the area, and flooding was extensive in the Ames area.

Flood in CERRO GORDO, IOWA
From 30-MAY-08 10:52:00 to 31-MAY-08 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORTLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in MAHASKA, IOWA
From 30-MAY-08 06:47:00 to 31-MAY-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEORIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in JASPER, IOWA
From 31-MAY-08 03:35:00 to 31-MAY-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: VALERIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in STORY, IOWA
From 30-MAY-08 01:52:00 to 30-MAY-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: AMES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in STORY, IOWA
From 30-MAY-08 06:11:00 to 31-MAY-08 12:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: AMES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in LUCAS, IOWA
From 30-MAY-08 20:00:00 to 31-MAY-08 05:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSSELL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in WEBSTER, IOWA
From 31-MAY-08 02:09:00 to 31-MAY-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEHIGH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 30-MAY-08 21:10:00 to 31-MAY-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DSM)DES MOINES INTL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in STORY, IOWA
From 30-MAY-08 06:50:00 to 31-MAY-08 09:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: AMES ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 30-MAY-08 18:37:00 to 31-MAY-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DSM)DES MOINES INTL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 31-MAY-08 12:56:00 to 31-MAY-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLEASANT HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in MARSHALL, IOWA
From 30-MAY-08 08:05:00 to 31-MAY-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: MINERVA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in DALLAS, IOWA
From 30-MAY-08 13:08:00 to 31-MAY-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAWSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in BUTLER, IOWA
From 30-MAY-08 21:56:00 to 31-MAY-08 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HARTFORD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 15.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations