Warm temperatures across the area caused a quick release of snowpack melt water, which brought about rises along several of the tributaries of the Mississippi River.  Also, rainfall amounts up to an inch and a half fell over much of the area from the 9th through the 13th, which added to the rising water.  For instance, New Hampton (Chickasaw County) received 1.31 inches, Elma (Howard County) received 1.06 inches, and Osage (Mitchell County) received 1.44 inches.  Minor flooding did occur along several rivers and creeks in northeast Iowa, however due to the time of year with no crops in the ground, damage was minimal.  There was however damage to roads across Chickasaw county as low land flooding caused water-covered roads as well as blocked and damaged culverts causing road closures and damage.

Flood in FLOYD, IOWA
From 10-MAR-10 20:00:00 to 13-MAR-10 04:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORA SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Minor flooding of low lying areas, as well as along small streams and creeks, was reported across portions of Floyd county from the evening of March 10th through early morning on March 13th.  Also, some secondary roads were reported to have been underwater or have minor damage due to running water.

Flood in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 10-MAR-10 20:00:00 to 13-MAR-10 04:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAUCOMA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Minor flooding of low lying areas, as well as along small streams and creeks, was reported across portions of Fayette county from the evening of March 10th through early morning on March 13th.  Also, some secondary roads were reported to have been underwater or have minor damage due to running water.

Flood in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 11-MAR-10 08:30:00 to 14-MAR-10 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELKADER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Turkey River near Elkader rose above the flood stage of 12 feet on the morning of March 11th.  It crested at 14.42 feet on March 12th around 10:00 p.m., before falling back below flood stage around noon on March 14th.
Only minor flooding was observed as the river rose above flood stage, with no damage reported.

Flood in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 11-MAR-10 13:00:00 to 13-MAR-10 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GARBER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Turkey River near Garber rose above the flood stage of 17 feet during the early afternoon hours on March 11th.  It crested at 19.72 feet on the morning of March 12th around 8:15 a.m., before falling back below flood stage on the evening of March 13th.
Only minor flooding was observed as the river rose above flood stage, with no damage reported.

Flood in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 11-MAR-10 19:00:00 to 13-MAR-10 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: OTRANTO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Minor flooding of low lying areas across portions of Mitchell county, as well as along the Cedar River and other small streams and creeks, occurred from the evening of March 11th through the early morning hours of March 13th.  Local campgrounds and RV parks, including the Ortranto, Stacyville, Interstate and Halverson parks along the Cedar River observed flooding.  Also, the intersection of Highways 219 and 9, east of Osage was closed for a time on the evening of March 12th, due to water over-top of the road.
Ice jams were reported along the Cedar River, which swept trees, shrubs, grass and some trash downstream.  For a time, there was concern for the safety of the Mitchell dam near the city of Mitchell.  No damage was reported with the ice jams however.

Flood in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 11-MAR-10 00:00:00 to 12-MAR-10 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LITTLEPORT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Volga River at Littleport, IA rose above the flood stage of 12 feet on March 11th, and crested at 2:45 a.m. on March 12th at 13.58 feet.  The river dropped below flood stage later in the day on March 12th.
Only minor flooding was observed as the river rose above flood stage with no damage reported.

Flood in FLOYD, IOWA
From 12-MAR-10 09:00:00 to 16-MAR-10 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHARLES CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Cedar River at Charles City rose above the flood stage of 12 feet on the morning of March 12th.  The river crested at 14.2 feet around 1:00 p.m. on March 15th.  The river then fell back below flood stage around 4:00 p.m. on March 16th.
Ice Jams were noted along the river, washing large chunks of ice into Bayou Bend Park.  Also, the intersection of Riverside Drive and Illinois Avenue was closed for a time as flood waters flowed over it.

Flood in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 10-MAR-10 16:00:00 to 13-MAR-10 04:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEERFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A 13-year old girl was swept into a flooded creek in rural Alta Vista when cutting across a field after being dropped off a school bus.  She was swept into and through a culvert before escaping.  She was treated for hypothermia (direct injury) and released.
In addition, 15 roads were closed or washed out across the county.  Some of this damage was due to water running over roads as culverts were frozen shut or plugged with ice.
Other minor flooding of low lying areas and small streams and creeks was reported across the county from the evening of March 10th through the early morning of March 13th.

Flood in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 11-MAR-10 23:00:00 to 14-MAR-10 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BASSETT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Little Cedar River near Ionia rose above the flood stage of 10 feet on the evening of March 12th.  The river crested at 13.16 feet around 6:00 a.m. on the morning of March 13th.  It then fell back below flood stage between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on March 14th.
Only minor flooding was observed as the river rose above flood stage and no damage was reported.