Aug 4, 2010
Strong thunderstorms formed over central Iowa during the morning hours of the 4th. The ground was already quite saturated, resulting in rapid runoff of the heavy rainfall. Rainfall for the most part ranged from 1 to 3 inches in a short period of time. This resulted in flash flooding in parts of central Iowa. As the water ran off, rises in mainstem river systems took place in central toward southeast Iowa. The river flooding itself was relatively minor and short lived.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 248940). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Polk County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.