April temperatures averaged 46.4�� or 2.1�� below normal while pecipitation totaled 5.93 inches or 2.60 inches above normal.   This ranks as the 31st coldest and 2nd wettest April among 136 years of state records.   The only wetter April was recorded in 1999 with 6.25 inches of precipitation.   The last colder April was in 1997.  The big weather news of the month was precipitation.   Rainfall was frequent during the month with three storm systems each dropping an average of over an inch of rain statewide on the 10th-11th, 17th-18th and 23rd-25th.   Heaviest rains with each of these storms was centered on central and northeast Iowa.   Major flooding followed the final, and largest, storm of the series.   Monthly precipitation totals varied from 1.90 inches at Sioux Center to 11.98 inches at Fayette.  Record maximum April precipitation totals were recorded at several locations including: Fayette  with 11.98 inches, old record 8.02 inches in 1909, Grundy center 11.75  inches, old record 8.02 inches in 1991, Waukon 11.07 inches, old record 8.55 inches in 1981, Waterloo 10.79 inches, old record 8.53 inches in 1991 , and Eldora 10.25 inches, old record 7.22 inches in 1976.  These totals fell just shy of the April single-station record of 12.52 inches set at Strawberry Point in 1951.  The heavy rainfall pushed many rivers over flood stage by 1 to 3 feet. The hardest hit, with major flooding and some evacuations needed, occurred over northeast Iowa in the Waterloo area.  The Cedar river crested around 6 feet over flood stage at both Waterloo and in the Cedar Falls area.  This resulted in losses from extensive flooding in the area.

Flood in BUTLER, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 08:30:00 to 27-APR-08 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HARTFORD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in BLACK HAWK, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 07:15:00 to 30-APR-08 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FINCHFORD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in BUTLER, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 10:45:00 to 27-APR-08 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: PACKARD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in BREMER, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 16:45:00 to 26-APR-08 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLAINFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in CERRO GORDO, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 13:45:00 to 25-APR-08 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORTLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in MARSHALL, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 17:30:00 to 28-APR-08 10:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MINERVA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in BLACK HAWK, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 14:30:00 to 29-APR-08 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in BLACK HAWK, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 05:15:00 to 30-APR-08 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in MAHASKA, IOWA
From 25-APR-08 06:00:00 to 30-APR-08 04:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEORIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations