The nearly stationary frontal boundary that had plagued Iowa for the previous couple days remained in place, setting the stage for strong thunderstorm development to the north of the front.  The airmass remained quite unstable with CAPE of 2000 to 3000 J/kg over southern Iowa and lifted indices around -10 C. Precipitable water values were quite high, in the 1.7 to 2 inch range.  Thunderstorms that occurred earlier in the evening had drifted south of the state, but they refired back northwest into the state toward midnight.  Meanwhile, another area of thunderstorms developed over eastern Nebraska.  The two areas merged together with thunderstorms training across southern Iowa.  Heavy rainfall of 4 to 9 inches occurred over parts of south central Iowa.  Ground conditions were quite saturated.  As a result, much of the rain that fell ran off.  Flash flooding was reported in Wayne and Appanoose Counties.  Several counties in southern Iowa reported flooding, though not as severe.  Several roads were flooded with up to 3 feet of running water over roads in Wayne and Appanoose Counties.  Scattered reports of stalled vehicles were also received, however reports were limited due to the late hour of the flooding.  In Lucas County, flooding occurred in the town of Chariton.  Damage was done to roads and bridges in the Chariton area with about $1,000,000 in damage.  A vehicle was stalled in running water with the water reportedly flowing into the car.  In Appanoose County, lightning struck the steeple of a church in Moulton.  The steeple was completely destroyed.

Heavy Rain in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 19-JUL-10 19:00:00 to 20-JUL-10 07:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRIFFINSVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Rainfall since last evening was 4.5 inches.

Lightning in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 20-JUL-10 05:00:00 to 20-JUL-10 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOULTON
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Heavy Rain in WAYNE, IOWA
From 19-JUL-10 18:00:00 to 20-JUL-10 07:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEYMOUR
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Rainfall of 7.5 inches was reported.

Flash Flood in LUCAS, IOWA
From 20-JUL-10 02:34:00 to 20-JUL-10 08:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHARITON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Vehicle was stalled on Court Ave in Chariton.  Water flowing on the road and coming into the vehicle.

Heavy Rain in WAYNE, IOWA
From 19-JUL-10 19:00:00 to 20-JUL-10 05:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEYMOUR
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Six inches of rain fell since 1900 CST last night.

Heavy Rain in LUCAS, IOWA
From 19-JUL-10 19:00:00 to 20-JUL-10 06:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHARITON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Rainfall since last evening was 4.80 inches.

Heavy Rain in WAYNE, IOWA
From 19-JUL-10 19:00:00 to 20-JUL-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALLERTON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Rainfall of 4.25 inches since last night.

Flash Flood in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 20-JUL-10 05:30:00 to 20-JUL-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: JEROME
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to 6 inches of water was flowing over County Highway J46.

Heavy Rain in WAYNE, IOWA
From 19-JUL-10 19:00:00 to 20-JUL-10 05:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: PROMISE CITY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Rainfall of 5.72 inches since last night.

Flash Flood in WAYNE, IOWA
From 20-JUL-10 03:00:00 to 20-JUL-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PROMISE CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Water was over County Road S56 earlier in the morning.

Flash Flood in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 20-JUL-10 05:50:00 to 20-JUL-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EXLINE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

At the intersection of 285th Ave and 570th a spotter reported 3 feet of fast flowing water.

Flash Flood in WAYNE, IOWA
From 20-JUL-10 06:00:00 to 20-JUL-10 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLERTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Estimated 7 feet of water sitting on County Road J22 in an underpass with a car stalled.

Flash Flood in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 20-JUL-10 05:49:00 to 20-JUL-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NUMA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Closures included 135th St south of Highway J46 with a pickup truck stalled out.  Water flowing over the road at Highway 2 east of Centerville, and the intersection of Highway T14 and Main Street.  Flooding on roads west of Centerville near the Chariton River.

Flash Flood in WAYNE, IOWA
From 20-JUL-10 05:30:00 to 20-JUL-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALLERTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to 6 inches of water flowing over County Highway S26.  Multiple gravel roads inundated.

Heavy Rain in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 19-JUL-10 17:00:00 to 20-JUL-10 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTERVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotter measured 7.10 inches of rain.