A flooded highway and more storms are testing eastern and central Iowa.
Parts of Iowa are dealing with serious flooding this week, and more rain is on the way just as the state heads into the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The Iowa Department of Transportation shut down the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 between Ankeny and Elkhart on Thursday night after heavy rain flooded the roadway. Some areas of Ankeny, along with northern Polk County and southern Story County, saw six to eight inches of rain in less than 24 hours, with a few spots recording even more.
Flooding shuts down a stretch of I-35
The heavy rain has also knocked out power in parts of the region, which can lead to flooding in basements and homes. Rivers and creeks across Polk and Jasper counties are expected to keep rising, with Fourmile Creek forecast to reach flood stage and crest this morning.
Meanwhile, eastern Iowa is bracing for its own round of wet weather. A flood watch remained in effect for parts of the region this morning, with forecasters warning that repeated rounds of thunderstorms raise the risk of flash flooding, even as the threat of severe storms eased somewhat overnight.
More storms and flood risk ahead
Forecasters say today carries a continued risk of severe weather for eastern Iowa, with damaging winds, large hail and even an isolated tornado possible. Storms are expected to redevelop by late afternoon and evening, mainly across the central and southern parts of the region. Temperatures today should reach the low to mid-80s in northern areas and the mid to upper 80s farther south, with muggy conditions continuing into the night.
The good news is that the severe threat should ease further heading into the weekend. Saturday’s storm chances look more scattered, and forecasters say that trend bodes well for anyone with outdoor Fourth of July plans, though they still recommend staying weather-aware. A slim chance of a shower or storm remains possible Sunday, with drier and slightly cooler weather expected to move in by early next week.
Staying safe if storms return
Officials are urging Iowans to keep a few basics in mind as the pattern continues. First, have more than one way to receive weather alerts, whether through a NOAA weather radio or a local weather app, especially overnight when storms are hardest to track. Second, if a warning is issued, head to the lowest level of a home, away from windows, using an interior room such as a closet or bathroom for extra protection. Third, never drive through a flooded road, since it takes only a small amount of moving water to sweep a vehicle away.
For now, both flooding and additional storms remain the top concerns across the state, with conditions expected to gradually improve through the holiday weekend.
SOURCES: KCCI