A 971mb bomb cyclone moved out of the central Rockies on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 and helped to create widespread, moderate to major, and in many cases historic, flooding across eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. From 4 to 15 inches of snow cover remained across the mid Missouri River valley, and the ground was frozen with existing frost depths of 15 to 23 inches. Warm temperatures allowed all of the snow to rapidly melt and record moisture allowed 1 to 2.5 inches of rain to fall over a 48 hour period.  Due to the frozen ground, and that 1 to 2 feet of thick ice remained in area rivers, widespread, and in many cases, catastrophic flooding developed. Due to expansive levee breaches on many rivers and streams, the flood damage was particularly devastating to many communities. Four individuals lost their lives due to the extreme conditions, and several hundred people required rescue via air or boat. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes or businesses. Nearly 50 levees were breached on the Platte, Elkhorn and Missouri Rivers due to the large volume of water. One such levee breach along the Platte River near Leshara, Nebraska forced the evacuation of National Weather Service Omaha, located in Valley, Nebraska for 8 days. Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts presented US$1.3 billion preliminary damage estimates for the entire state, including specific sector losses of: $439 million infrastructure (including roads and bridges), $85 million private homes and businesses, $400 million livestock and $440 million crop. About 2,000 miles of state roads including 15 Nebraska state highway bridges and numerous local bridges, roughly 20 percent of the entire state road system were impacted. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds provided a $1.6 billion preliminary damage estimate due to flooding across the state. U.S. Interstate 29, extending north-south along the Missouri River, was inundated and partially destroyed, as was the Interstate 680 bypass around Council Bluffs-Omaha metropolitan area. Also noteworthy was damage to Offutt Air Force Base located near Bellevue, Nebraska. One-third of the base���s main runway was inundated, along with one-third of Offutt���s buildings, with several hundred employees, and several families displaced. Preliminary damage estimates released by the Department of Defense are on the order of $450 million. Nebraska and Iowa severe flooding impacts culminated in Federal Disaster Declaration 4420.

Flash Flood in FREMONT, IOWA
From 17-MAR-19 05:13:00 to 17-MAR-19 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARTLETT
Flood cause: Dam / Levee Break
Property damage: 14.00M
Crop damage: 7.00M
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thurman was evacuated due to a levee break on the Missouri River.

Flood in HARRISON, IOWA
From 13-MAR-19 11:00:00 to 14-MAR-19 14:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUNLAP
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 2.20M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Thiere was for flooding along the Boyer River. The river gauge at Logan, operated by the USGS, peaked at 25.33 feet at 7 pm on March 13th. Major flood stage is 25 feet. Preliminary information shows this peak is the highest on record.  Portions of the town of Missouri Valley flooded from the flood. Highway 30 closed in Woodbine. A levee topped by floodwaters at 296th street in Missouri Valley, on the east side of the levee around 2 miles northeast of town. Also 2 breaches in the levee around Willow Creek. Evacuations took place in Missouri Valley.  Property damage totals are for the entire county from flooding of the Boyer River, Willow Creek, and Missouri River.

Flood in MONONA, IOWA
From 13-MAR-19 11:49:00 to 13-MAR-19 11:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: UTE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Heavy rain and snowmelt caused the Soldier River to start flooding. IA 141 closed in both directions. County road L32, 1 mile west of the Ute area, and county road L61 near Ute also closed. Flood damage totals for the county are in the Maple Creek flooding entry below.

Flood in FREMONT, IOWA
From 15-MAR-19 03:36:00 to 15-MAR-19 04:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARTLETT
Flood cause: Dam / Levee Break
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Water overtopping the levee along the Missouri River.. Bartlett was evacuated.Flood damage totals for the county are included in the the Fremont County entry listed below.

Flood in HARRISON, IOWA
From 14-MAR-19 03:00:00 to 23-MAR-19 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIVER SIOUX
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

This is for flooding along the Missouri River. The river gage at Blair, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, peaked at 31.12 feet at 5 pm on March 18th. Moderate flood stage is 28.2 feet. Gage data is preliminary. Many roads along the river were impacted and damaged due to the flowing water over these roads.  County flood damage flood totals are inthe entry above regard the Boyer River Flood.

Flash Flood in MILLS, IOWA
From 16-MAR-19 22:38:00 to 17-MAR-19 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PACIFIC CITY
Flood cause: Dam / Levee Break
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Two levee breeches resulted in flash flooding from the Missouri River.  One of the hardest hit areas was  the town of Pacific Junction.  The entire town was flooding by water from the river. US Highway 34 in Mills County sustained extreme damage to the roadway. Interstate 29 in Mills County sustained damage as well south of US 34 interchange on I-29.

Flood in POTTAWATTAMIE, IOWA
From 12-MAR-19 12:26:00 to 12-MAR-19 13:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE MANAWA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported water covering the road on Madison Avenue due to heavy rains causing Mosquito Creek to flood.  Water was rising rapidly in an apartment complex parking lot near the creek.

Flood in POTTAWATTAMIE, IOWA
From 13-MAR-19 06:00:00 to 23-MAR-19 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HONEY CREEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

There was significant flooding across the county.  On the Missouri River,. The river gauge at Omaha, operated by the USGS, peaked at 34.41 feet at 8 am on March 17th. Moderate flood stage is 32 feet. Preliminarily this peak is the 3rd highest on record. The primary impact from this flooding was Interstate 29 and Interstate 680 being closed due to being under water. East and west bound Highway 6 is closed as Keg and Little Keg Creeks were out of banks.  The heavy rains caused mudslides, and the most serious one was in Council Bluffs on Harry Langdon Boulevard, which closed the road.

Flood in MONONA, IOWA
From 13-MAR-19 23:00:00 to 15-MAR-19 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAPLETON MUNI ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 4.20M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

This is for flooding along the Maple River. The river gage at Mapleton, operated by the USGS, peaked at 23.60 feet at 6:15 pm on March 14th. Minor flood stage is 21 feet, moderate flood stage is 24 feet . Preliminarily this peak is the 2nd highest on record. Ice jamming may have played a role in the flooding at this location. The flooding caused damage and the closure of Hwy. 183 West of Mapleton.  Hwy 175 south of Mapleton and the closure of Hwy. 175 North of Mapleton.   Also the local Airport was totally flooded and damaged.  Flood totals are for for the County including from damage caused by flooding of the Soldier River.

Flood in MONTGOMERY, IOWA
From 13-MAR-19 12:00:00 to 15-MAR-19 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELLIOTT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 237.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt caused the East Nishnabotna River and Red Oak Creek to flood.  Several roads were closed due to high water across Montgomery County. Multiple roadways near Stennett were overcome by water on the 14th. The west side of Coburg was under water.

Flood in MILLS, IOWA
From 15-MAR-19 02:09:00 to 15-MAR-19 03:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: PACIFIC JCT
Flood cause: Dam / Levee Break
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Levee being overtopped 1 to 1 1/2 miles north of the Mills and Fremont county line. Evacuations took place along the river and near Bartlett.

Flood in FREMONT, IOWA
From 13-MAR-19 08:00:00 to 31-MAR-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: FARRAGUT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 22.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Flooding along the Nishnabotna River. The river gage above Hamburg, operated by the USGS, peaked at 31.07 feet at 11 am on March 16th. Moderate flood stage is 27.5 feet while major flood stage is 33 feet. Preliminary  informations shows this peak is the 3rd highest on record. Flooding also occurred along the Missouri River. The river gage at Nebraska City, operated by the USGS, peaked at 30.15 feet at 6 pm on March 16th. Minor flood stage is 18 feet, moderate flood stage is 23 feet while major flood stage is 27 feet. Preliminary data shows this to be a record crest. Flooding continued into the next month. Levees 601, 594 and 575 failed flooding Bartlett, Percival, Hamburg, and the truck stop area near Interstate 29. Dollar estimate is from the Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District. Hospitals and businesses were impacted by the flood.  Floods devastated livestock, grain storage, and fields that had yet to be planted.Water systems in Hamburg were incapacitated and overcome with high water. Three men were driving  in Hamburg and drove around a road closed barrieron the evening of the 15th. They continued driving until they hit flood water, where the current swept their vehicle away. The men tried to swim to safety. Two of the men were found holding onto trees in the floodwaters. The third was found in a ditch near a residence trying to get warm. One of the men died.