May 23, 1998
A complex weather situation unfolded over Iowa. Initially, a stationary front was located to the south of the state. An upper low pressure system was poised to the southwest of Iowa and began to lift out. As it lifted out and its associated vorticity maximum moved northeast, a line of thunderstorms formed in western Iowa. This line advanced east across the west half of the state producing hail and heavy rainfall. Some of the hail was up to golf ball in size. Rainfall rates were in excess o
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5646927). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Wapello County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.