Heavy Rain Leading to Flood Warnings & Street Closures

Heavy rain late Sunday night into Monday morning is causing some issues across eastern Iowa.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the Turkey River at Elkader. Minor flooding is forecasted through Tuesday night. The river was at 11.2 feet late Monday morning and is expected to rise above flood stage Monday afternoon to a crest of 14 feet just after midnight. It should fall below the 12-foot flood stage Tuesday night.

A Flood Warning has also been issued for the Turkey River at Garber. Minor flooding is forecasted Monday night into Tuesday night. Early Monday afternoon, the river’s stage was at 13.8 feet. The river is expected to rise above the 17-foot flood stage late Monday night to a crest of 18 feet Tuesday morning. At 17 feet, the National Weather Service says minor flooding begins in the communities of Garber, Osterdock and Millville. It should fall below flood stage Tuesday afternoon.

Localized flooding is possible throughout the day today across eastern Iowa.

Dyersville is experiencing water over the road in a couple areas today, leading the City to close streets. The City has closed 3rd Street SW from 3rd Avenue SW to 9th Avenue SW along with the 100-200 blocks of 3rd Avenue SW. The City has also closed 1^st Street SW from 2^nd Avenue SW to 3^rd Avenue SW. The City says more street closures are possible throughout the day.

Backbone State Park is also experiencing high water at this time, experiencing flooding in the flats area (photo above).

Delaware County Emergency Management Coordinator Mandy Bieber says everything was full across the county as of Monday afternoon. Bieber says Honey Creek and Coffins Creek are both at bank level, if not out of their banks, in some places. She reminds everyone to never drive in flooded areas. Emergency Management is closely monitoring the situation.

Delaware County Engineer Rafe Koopman tells KMCH as of Monday afternoon, no roads were closed in Delaware County due to high water. He says there is minor washing along the edge of a few of the gravel roads and the County will be fixing those spots over the next few days.

Manchester has received nearly two inches of rain since late Sunday night. The forecast is calling for drier weather heading into the rest of the week.

photo courtesy of Roger Helmrichs/Friends of Backbone