May 21, 1999
Once again, heavy rainfall struck Iowa. Heavy rainfall over parts of southwest and central Iowa early on the morning of the 21st led to rapid rises on the Raccoon River through Des Moines and on metro area streams and creeks. Rainfall of 1 to 3 inches in several hours caused the Raccoon river at Van Meter to rise over 5 feet in 6 hours, causing a crest of 18.21 feet on the afternoon of the 21st (flood stage is 13 feet). The downstream crest at Fleur Drive in Des Moines was 16.0 feet (flood st
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5693779). 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.