The warning remains in effect until 2 p.m. Sunday in seven Iowa counties. The English River at Kalona is already above flood stage, while the Rock River at Moline may reach flood stage Tuesday evening.
By Hola America News
Last verified: Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at 10:35 a.m. CDT.
EASTERN IOWA AND THE QUAD CITIES — A Flood Warning remains in effect until 2 p.m. Sunday across parts of eastern Iowa after 2 to 5 inches of rain fell since Saturday evening. Flooding continues along rivers, creeks, streams and low-lying areas.
The warning covers southern Cedar County, Iowa County, Johnson County, Muscatine County, Keokuk County, northwestern Louisa County and Washington County. Meanwhile, a broader Flood Watch remains in effect until 1 p.m. across much of eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois.
The broader watch includes Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Muscatine, Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline and Rock Island. Although the heaviest rain has ended in some areas, runoff continues to keep water levels high.
Near Kalona, flooding developed after the English River moved out of its banks. Earlier Sunday, about a foot of water covered the intersection of 133rd Street and Nutmeg Street.
Flooding continues after 2 to 5 inches of rain
By 8:04 a.m. Sunday, radar and automated rain gauges showed 2 to 5 inches of rain across parts of the warned area. Saturated ground and runoff caused flooding in low-lying areas and along streams, creeks and rivers.
In addition, the broader Flood Watch covers 16 Iowa counties: Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott and Washington.
On the Illinois side, the watch includes Bureau, Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, Stephenson and Whiteside counties.
Earlier storms produced rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. While the heaviest rain has moved east, runoff may continue to cause flooding after the rain ends.
The morning warning covers parts of I-80 and I-380
The Flood Warning also covers Interstate 80 between mile markers 205 and 277 and Interstate 380 between mile markers 1 and 7.
Communities in the warned area include Iowa City, Muscatine, Washington, Tipton, Marengo, West Branch, Coralville, North Liberty, West Liberty, Williamsburg, Wilton and Kalona.
The National Weather Service warns motorists not to enter flooded roads or drive around barricades. Floodwater can hide damaged pavement and other hazards.
The English River at Kalona is already above flood stage
By 5 a.m. Sunday, the English River at Kalona had reached 16.7 feet. Flood stage is 14 feet. The National Weather Service reported moderate flooding and forecasts the river to crest near 17.9 feet shortly after midnight Sunday night.
The river should then begin to fall. However, the Flood Warning for the English River remains in effect until Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier Sunday, flooding near Kalona sent about a foot of water across 133rd Street and Nutmeg Street. Runoff may keep streams and low areas high even after rainfall decreases.
The Rock River at Moline may reach flood stage Tuesday evening
At the same time, a separate river Flood Watch covers the Rock River at Moline from Tuesday evening into Thursday evening. Flood stage there is 12 feet.
The river stood at 9.0 feet Saturday morning. The current forecast indicates it may reach flood stage late Tuesday evening as runoff moves through the river system.
This river watch is separate from the broader Flood Watch that expires Sunday afternoon. As a result, river flooding may develop days after the heaviest rainfall ends.
Readers can check the latest watches, warnings and river statements through National Weather Service Quad Cities. Conditions and river forecasts may change as runoff continues through the region.
Related: Flood watch expired Aug. 15 across Des Moines and Quad Cities
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