FloodZoneMap.org

Home› Stories› Iowa› Flash Flood 2004

Flash Flood — Buchanan, IA

Jun 16, 2004

Property Damage
$20K

Scattered thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front moving east through Iowa. By the evening, a surface low had developed along the cold front as it moved into Eastern Iowa. This enhanced the overall lift in a near tropical atmosphere and produced copious amounts of rain in a very short time period. This resulted in flash flooding across parts of Northeast Iowa and Northwest Illinois due to the hilly terrain.

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5418383). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for Buchanan, IA

This event is one of many recorded floods in Buchanan County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.

View Buchanan County flood data →

More Flood Stories

Flash Flood1 death

Buchanan, IA · May 23, 2004

A persistent stationary front continued to remain across Iowa and Northern Illinois. Two squall lines developed in the late afternoon in Western Iowa, one north and one south of the stationary front. These squall lines raced east across Eastern Iowa and Northern Illinois.

Read the full account →
Flood$3.1M damage

Buchanan, IA · Jun 1, 2008

Major to record flooding occurred during the month of June 2008 with most forecast points above flood stage for the majority of the month. The flooding during this month was more prolific and severe than the flooding in April 2008, and the flooding in April had been the most…

Read the full account →
Flood$100K damage

Buchanan, IA · Sep 24, 2016

Significant record to near record heavy rainfall in North Central and Northeast Iowa from 21 to 23 September of 4 to over 10 plus inches caused major river flooding on many forecast points on the Iowa tributaries of the Wapsipinicon, Cedar, lower Iowa, and Maquoketa rivers.

Read the full account →
Flash Flood$1.0M damage

Buchanan, IA · May 25, 2008

Heavy rain-producing showers and thunderstorms moved across much of eastern Iowa and northwest and west central Illinois from the evening of May 25th to the early morning of May 26th. Some of the stronger storms also produced tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail.

Read the full account →