More than six inches of water flowed across some roads near Murray Wednesday morning. Additional heavy rain could cause more flooding across southern and southeast Iowa.
Updated at 1 p.m. CDT Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Flash flooding affected roads in southern Iowa Wednesday morning as more rain and thunderstorms threatened low-lying areas through the afternoon.
At about 8:40 a.m., more than six inches of water flowed across some roads near Murray in western Clarke County. Floodwater could also reach streets, underpasses, small streams and areas with poor drainage.
A flash flood warning remained in effect until 1:15 p.m. for Clarke County, northern Decatur County, southwestern Lucas County and Wayne County. The affected area included Osceola, Corydon, Murray, Seymour, Allerton, Humeston, Van Wert and Garden Grove.
Water levels appeared to be falling in some locations by late morning. However, low roads and areas near small streams could remain flooded.
Eleven counties remain under a flood watch until 7 p.m.
The flood watch continues until 7 p.m. in 11 southern and southeast Iowa counties:
- Appanoose
- Davis
- Wapello
- Keokuk
- Washington
- Louisa
- Jefferson
- Henry
- Des Moines County
- Van Buren
- Lee
Cities within the watch area include Ottumwa, Bloomfield, Centerville, Fairfield, Sigourney, Washington, Mount Pleasant, Burlington and Fort Madison.
Rain that fell Tuesday left parts of the region more vulnerable to flooding. Repeated storms over the same locations could quickly raise water levels in rivers, creeks and drainage channels.
The Thompson River at Davis City also remains under a flood watch from the city of Grand River to the Iowa-Missouri border. Rising water could reach the Davis City park and campgrounds.
The heaviest rain remains south of Interstate 80
Areas south of Interstate 80 in eastern Iowa could receive between one and three inches of rain from two rounds of storms. Isolated locations could receive close to four inches.
Davenport, Moline, Scott County and Rock Island County were not included in the flood watch as of 1 p.m. Scattered rain and thunderstorms could still move through eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois during the afternoon and evening.
The watch also covers Mercer, Henderson, Warren, Hancock and McDonough counties in Illinois. Those counties sit south of the main Quad Cities metro area.
Flooding remains the primary threat. Some storms could also bring lightning and strong wind gusts. The severe weather risk remains marginal, the lowest of five levels.
Floodwater can quickly make roads impassable
Drivers should never attempt to cross a flooded street or highway. Water can hide damaged pavement, and its depth may be difficult to judge from inside a vehicle.
Residents near rivers, creeks or flood-prone areas should be ready to move to higher ground if water begins to rise.
Related coverage: State disaster assistance remains available in four Iowa counties after storms.
Most of the rain should decrease during the afternoon and evening. Readers can check current warnings, watches and changes to the affected areas through the active weather alerts for Iowa.
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