Flash Flooding in Eastern Delaware and Dubuque Counties

Torrential rainfall led to flash flooding in Dubuque and eastern Delaware counties on Monday afternoon.

The National Weather Service says slow-moving severe thunderstorms dropped at least two to three inches of rain across much of the area in a short amount of time. Dubuque County Emergency Management reported 3.4 inches of rainfall on Monday, measured one mile east of Dubuque. A KMCH listener near Petersburg reported 1.8 inches of rain in less than ten minutes on Monday afternoon, while a KMCH Facebook follower reported two inches of rain in less than a half hour in Delhi. 

Several roads in the eastern Delaware and Dubuque county areas were closed due to water over the road, with water completely covering Old Highway 20 west of Dyersville under the viaduct (pictured above). Video showed vehicles coming to a stop as water rushed through the city streets of Dubuque, carrying trash cans and other debris. 

A Flash Flood Warning was in effect through the evening. 

Due to the high amounts of moisture, the storms also produced strong rain-cooled downdrafts which resulted in scattered wind damage. 

The National Weather Service says they received several storm reports from the area, including a report of a power pole leaning near Dyersville, as well as power out in Dyersville. 

Isolated severe storms are possible Tuesday afternoon and evening as a strong cold front approaches the area. The best timing is 3 to 10 pm, with the main threat 60 mph damaging winds and one-inch hail. Showers and storms Monday night into Tuesday morning will influence the location for potential isolated severe storms Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Conrad Park, Earlville

Farm field near Earlville

photos courtesy of Susie Domeyer Salow, Diane Deutmeyer & Sherry Hermsen Burkle