Aug 9, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms developed along a strong frontal boundary, which moved across northwest Iowa late in the night of August 8 and early morning of August 9. The thunderstorms were within an environment of marginal shear and decent MUCAPE around 1500 J/kg, and high amounts of moisture led to brief excessive rainfall rates. The heaviest rainfall was focused around Cherokee, where from 1.50 to 3.00 inches of rainfall occurred in a couple hours, leading to brief flash flooding.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 1290491). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Cherokee County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.