Jul 24, 1997
Heavy rains mentioned above in the urban and small stream flooding caused flash flooding in Polk County, specifically in Des Moines. Walnut Creek rose quicky above flood stage. Serious flooding occurred in low areas of the city with rush hour traffic snarled by closed roads that were under water. The rain stopped around sunrise, however 3 to 5 inches had fallen in a two hour period to sunrise. Conditions improved quite rapidly by the end of the rush hour.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5603125). 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.