Repeated rounds of thunderstorms with heavy rains moved across portions of northeast Iowa during the evening of August 23rd into the early morning hours of the 24th. This heavy rain produced flash flooding across portions of Mitchell, Howard, Chickasaw, Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties. One person drowned north of Lawler (Chickasaw County) when a vehicle was swept off the road by flood waters from the Little Turkey River. Two people had to be rescued from a cabin near Lansing (Allamakee County). Flood waters caused a basement to collapsed in Calmar (Winneshiek County) and evacuations were performed east of Decorah (Winneshiek County) because of rapidly rising flood waters along the Upper Iowa River. A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for these extreme events. Numerous roads were covered by flood waters in Mitchell County where sandbagging efforts occurred near Osage. Several schools had to close on the 24th because of the flooding. The Governor of Iowa issued a disaster proclamation for Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell and Winneshiek Counties. Damages from the flooding to public infrastructure was estimated at $2.4 million for Winneshiek County and another $1 million for Decorah (Winneshiek County).

Heavy Rain in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 18:40:00 to 24-AUG-16 05:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECORAH MUNI ARPT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The automated weather observing equipment at the Decorah airport measured 7.19 inches of rain.

Heavy Rain in HOWARD, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 18:25:00 to 24-AUG-16 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRESCO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer near Cresco measured 6.04 inches of rain.

Flood in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 22:55:00 to 25-AUG-16 22:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPILLVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rains pushed the Turkey River out of its banks in Spillville. The river crested over eleven feet above the flood stage at 20.25 feet. This established a new crest of record.

Flood in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 01:55:00 to 26-AUG-16 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELDORADO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 410.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Turkey River out of its banks near Eldorado. The river crested at almost nine feet above the flood stage at 21.92 feet. This established a new crest of record. Flooding downstream along the Turkey River damaged some roads and bridges along with county parks.

Flood in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 16:45:00 to 26-AUG-16 14:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLERMONT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Turkey River out of its banks in Clermont. The river crested over six feet above the flood stage at 22.32 feet. The flood waters damaged the waste water treatment facility.

Flood in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 13:05:00 to 27-AUG-16 13:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELKADER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 63.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Turkey River out of its banks in Elkader. The river crested over ten feet above the flood stage at 22.57 feet. The flood waters damaged some trails, sidewalks and the riverbank.

Flood in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 25-AUG-16 14:05:00 to 27-AUG-16 13:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: GARBER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Turkey River out of its banks in Garber. The river crested over six feet above the flood stage at 23.6 feet. Flooding along the Turkey River throughout the county damaged some roads.

Flood in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 00:00:00 to 24-AUG-16 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAUCOMA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Little Turkey River out of its banks in Waucoma. The flood waters damaged the town's wastewater treatment facility.

Flood in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 07:05:00 to 24-AUG-16 11:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLUFFTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Upper Iowa River out of its banks in Bluffton. The river crested less than a half foot above the flood stage at 14.41 feet.

Flood in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 03:20:00 to 24-AUG-16 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECORAH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Upper Iowa River out of its banks in Decorah. The river crested around a foot and a half above the flood stage at 13.68 feet.

Flash Flood in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 22:25:00 to 24-AUG-16 06:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALMAR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.80M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Runoff from heavy rains caused flooding to occur in and around Calmar, Fort Atkinson and Spillville. The flood waters caused the basement of one house to collapse in Calmar. Cars became stranded near U.S. Highway 52 around Calmar with one person having to stand on top of a car to get out of the flood waters. Rogers Creek near Fort Atkinson went out of its banks with water over several secondary roads. Flooding also occurred along Bohemian Creek in the western part of the county. Flood waters were knee deep in some residences and caused evacuations to occur near Ludwig County Park and County Highway B16 was closed due to the flood waters northwest of Spillville. Sandbagging efforts in Spillville had to be stopped because the water was rising too fast on Bohemian Creek and the Turkey River. The flood waters from the Turkey River isolated Spillville and prevented anyone from leaving or entering the town. One bridge near Spillville sustained damage from a tree swept up in the flood waters. Early estimates by the mayor of Spillville indicated 9 homes were seriously affected with water on the first floor and another 20 to 25 sustained less damage with water mainly in the basements.

Flood in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 01:45:00 to 26-AUG-16 21:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHESTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rains pushed the Upper Iowa River out of its banks near Dorchester. The river crested over ten feet above the flood stage at 24.3 feet. This established a new crest of record.

Flood in FLOYD, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 13:00:00 to 24-AUG-16 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLOYD HANRY ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Cedar River out of its banks near Orchard. The river crested almost two feet above the flood stage at 11.88 feet.

Flash Flood in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 22:38:00 to 24-AUG-16 06:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECORAH MUNI ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.01M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flood waters caused homes along Cedar Valley Road, southwest of Freeport, to be evacuated. Widespread flooding occurred in Freeport prompting the need for water rescues to be performed and for local law enforcement to not allow any travel in the area. River Road near Freeport was closed due to flooding from the Upper Iowa River that also caused a trailer court to be evacuated. The runoff from heavy rains also caused urban flooding to occur on the south side of Decorah where a vehicle was flooded in a parking lot. Numerous bridge approaches were lost in the flooding and lots of gravel was washed off roads.

Flood in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 22:59:00 to 24-AUG-16 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BASSETT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain caused flooding to occur along Beaver Creek in the vicinity of Bassett.

Flood in FLOYD, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 21:50:00 to 25-AUG-16 12:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHARLES CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Cedar River out of its banks in Charles City. The river crested just under a foot above the flood stage at 12.96 feet.

Flash Flood in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 03:00:00 to 24-AUG-16 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LITTLE TURKEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

One person drowned when a vehicle was swept off the road by flood waters from the Little Turkey River. This occurred north of Lawler where Union Avenue crosses the river. The driver called 911 at 340 a.m.

Flash Flood in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 23:30:00 to 24-AUG-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: STACYVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Runoff from heavy rain caused flooding to occur along Watsons Creek. The flood waters went over Addison Road north of Riceville. Flooding also occurred along the Little Cedar River in the vicinity of Stacyville. Sandbagging operations were performed northwest of Osage in an effort to protect residences from flooding along Sugar Creek.

Flash Flood in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 01:26:00 to 24-AUG-16 04:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LANSING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 513.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Runoff from heavy rain caused flooding to occur in Lansing along Clear Creek. Two people had to be rescued when the cabin they were sleeping in was moved off its foundation. The cabin became lodged against some trees allowing rescuers to reach them with a boat. The cabin was destroyed. 5.2 inches of rain was reported around 130 a.m. The runoff also caused a mudslide to occur north of Lansing.

Flash Flood in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 02:00:00 to 24-AUG-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAUKON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Runoff from heavy rain caused flooding to occur in and around Waukon. Several rescues had to be performed to save people from the flooding. Some businesses and homes were damaged by the flooding.

Heavy Rain in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 19:15:00 to 24-AUG-16 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHESTER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet reporting station south of Dorchester measured 5.67 inches of rain.

Heavy Rain in HOWARD, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 17:48:00 to 24-AUG-16 04:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICEVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet reporting station northeast of Riceville measured 4.26 inches of rain.

Heavy Rain in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 18:08:00 to 24-AUG-16 01:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHICKASAW
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer west of Ionia measured 3.68 inches of rain.

Flood in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 03:05:00 to 24-AUG-16 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: OTRANTO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 220.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Runoff from heavy rain caused flooding in a large share of the county. The flood waters covered numerous roads throughout the county.

Heavy Rain in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 17:15:00 to 24-AUG-16 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSAGE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer in Osage measured 4.73 inches of rain.

Flood in HOWARD, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 03:50:00 to 24-AUG-16 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICEVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 470.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

State Highway 9 was closed west of Cresco due to flood waters from the North Branch of the Turkey River. The flood waters from the North Branch of the Turkey River also washed out Robin Avenue. Lidtke County Park just north of Lime Springs was flooded by the Upper Iowa River. A small mudslide occurred along Watsons Creek in Lake Hendricks Park in Riceville. The county engineer estimated there were over 450 locations where water was over roads with only minor damage reported. In Cresco, several houses had water in the basements. School was canceled in the Howard-Winneshiek and Riceville school districts.

Flood in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 22:00:00 to 24-AUG-16 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEERFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Heavy rains caused street flooding to occur in New Hampton with 4 to 5 feet of water reported in some places. Basements in the area were also flooded. Before sunrise on the 24th, water levels continued to rise on many county roads, even those that were not near any rivers or streams. Crane Creek overflowed its banks in Jerico with the flooding primarily limited to agricultural fields and homeowner's yards.

Heavy Rain in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 17:38:00 to 24-AUG-16 06:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICEVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

In Riceville, 5.25 inches of rain fell.

Heavy Rain in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 19:22:00 to 24-AUG-16 07:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAUKON MUNI ARPT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

East of Waukon, 7 inches of rain fell.

Flood in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 24-AUG-16 07:24:00 to 24-AUG-16 10:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECORAH MUNI ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Flood waters from Trout Creek covered 225th Street southeast of Decorah.

Heavy Rain in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 17:45:00 to 24-AUG-16 08:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HAVEN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Southeast of New Haven, 7 inches of rain fell.

Heavy Rain in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 18:56:00 to 24-AUG-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECORAH MUNI ARPT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer southeast of Decorah measured 7.58 inches of rain.

Heavy Rain in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 18:20:00 to 24-AUG-16 05:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HAMPTON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer in New Hampton measured 3.71 inches of rain.

Heavy Rain in HOWARD, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 17:45:00 to 24-AUG-16 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELMA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer in Elma measured 5.03 inches of rain.

Heavy Rain in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 23-AUG-16 18:56:00 to 24-AUG-16 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECORAH MUNI ARPT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Southeast of Decorah, 8.46 inches of rain was reported.