Des Moines, Iowa – Heavy thunderstorms sweeping across Iowa Saturday night are expected to dump up to 5 inches of rain in some areas, prompting flash flood watches through Sunday morning for much of the state.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines and the Quad Cities, multiple rounds of thunderstorms could bring intense downpours across central, southern, and eastern Iowa—including Polk, Black Hawk, Linn, and Johnson counties. Affected areas remain under a Flood Watch until at least 10 a.m. Sunday, with rainfall rates exceeding 2 inches per hour in some storms.
Urban flooding is a major concern, particularly in low-lying neighborhoods of Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Waterloo. Poor drainage areas, creeks, and underpasses are at elevated risk for flash flooding. Emergency officials urge residents to avoid driving through water-covered roads and to move to higher ground if needed.
In Kalona and Sigourney, the English and North Skunk Rivers are forecast to rise above flood stage late Sunday into Monday, threatening agricultural fields and several rural roads. Flood watches for these rivers remain in effect into midweek.
Rain and flooding risks will ease by Sunday afternoon, but additional alerts may be issued if storms persist.
