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Flash Flood — Palo Alto, IA

Jul 26, 1997

Thunderstorms moving into Palo Alto County not only produced severe weather, but very heavy rainfall as well. In the town of Emmetsburg, 2 1/2 to 4 inches of rain fell in a 45 minute period, causing local flash flooding in the are as well as many flooded basements. Reports of 4 to 5 feet of water in basements were received. Several roads were closed for a period of time as water over a foot deep overtopped them in places. The ground was quite wet before the rain fell as significant rainfall

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5603146). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for Palo Alto, IA

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

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