Thunderstorms with heavy rain were triggered by an upper level disturbance moving across Iowa toward northern Illinois. Excessive rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches occurred during the late night of April 24 into the early morning of April 25, which caused flash flooding. Runoff from the heavy rainfall kept water levels high through the end of April on the Turkey River and Mississippi River.

Flood in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 07:00:00 to 25-APR-08 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HORN FLD ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flood in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 02:00:00 to 25-APR-08 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTGATE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

No homes or businesses had major damage due to flood waters, although there were widespread reports of basement flooding in homes. Due to the excessive rainfall, the Turkey River at Eldorado rose 8 feet in 9 hours on the morning of April 25. The Turkey River crested at 18.07 feet at Eldorado, which was only 1.5 feet below the record level of 19.6 feet.

Flood in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 02:00:00 to 25-APR-08 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: STRAWBERRY PT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 80.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flood in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 09:00:00 to 30-APR-08 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC GREGOR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Due to runoff from heavy rainfall, the Mississippi River at McGregor crested at 17.02 feet on April 27. Flood stage is 16 feet. Some basement flooding of homes was reported, as well as flooding of McGregor's Riverfront Park. The Mississippi River at Guttenberg crested at 16.21 feet on April 27 causing minor flooding. Flood stage at Guttenberg is 15 feet.

Flash Flood in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-APR-08 22:45:00 to 25-APR-08 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 120.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Eleven roads were closed due to the effects of high water, including washouts and erosion. Even three days after the heavy rain had fallen, there were a few roads still closed. Damage estimates totaled $120,000.

Flash Flood in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 04:19:00 to 25-APR-08 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREDRICKSBURG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Reports from the emergency manager indicated six county roads were washed out due to an estimated 5 to 6 inches of rain. One car was stuck in high water near the Chickasaw-Bremer County line.

Flood in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-APR-08 22:00:00 to 27-APR-08 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELKADER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 380.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Runoff from heavy rainfall caused significant rises on the Turkey River and caused moderate to major flooding. At Elkader, the Turkey River crested at 18.84 feet on April 25. Flood stage is 12 feet.  Damage was estimated at $100,000 including damage to the dike on the town's southwest side and erosion on the riverbank on the northwest side of the community.  At Garber, the river crested at 27.98 feet on April 25, which was below the record setting crest of 32.8 feet on May 23, 2004. Flood stage at Garber is 17 feet.

Flash Flood in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 00:05:00 to 25-APR-08 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: STRAWBERRY PT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 290.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The emergency manager indicated a park was flooded near Elkader, along with some homes on the south side of Elkader. There were also numerous road closures across the county, with mudslides reported near Millville. Also near Millville, some freight train cars fell into the Turkey River due to a bridge collapse.  St.Olaf had about $35,000 in damages, mostly due to erosion.  At least two bridges were washed out in the county.