Storm Events Database

Storm Events Database

Event Details

Event Flash Flood
-- Flood Cause Heavy Rain
State IOWA
County/Area SAC
WFO DMX
Begin Date 05/30/2008 04:16:00 CST-6
Begin Range 2
Begin Azimuth WNW
Begin Location ULMER
Begin Lat/Lon 42.28/-94.99
End Date 05/30/2008 07:00:00 CST-6
End Range 1
End Azimuth NE
End Location ULMER
End Lat/Lon 42.28/-94.93
Deaths Direct/Indirect 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...)
Injuries Direct/Indirect 0/0
Property Damage 25.00K
Crop Damage 0.00K
Episode Narrative A very unstable airmass moved into Iowa during the day on the 29th as a warm front lifted north into the state during the afternoon. Low pressure approached from the west, along with a cold front so that the triple point was near the western Iowa, eastern Nebraska area by late afternoon. Thunderstorms erupted quickly during the late afternoon and evening hours in the unstable airmass. By evening, the low level jet was in the 40 to 60 kt range, feeding moisture into the state and pushing precipitable water values to around 200% of normal, in the 1.5 to 1.8 inch range. MUCAPE reached 3000 to 3500 J/kg over western Iowa, with lifted indices in the -6 to -10 C. range. The freezing level was quite high, limiting the hail size somewhat with this event, at 14,300 feet. The available CAPE in the -10 to -30 C. layer of the atmosphere was in the 300 to 500 J/kg range. The DCAPE was between 800 and 1000 J/kg. The environment was highly sheared with 50 to 65 kts of shear available during the event. The LCL was also quite low, in the 750 to 1250 meter range. Thunderstorms erupted over western Iowa stretching into north central Iowa first. It did not take long for the storms to become severe with hail and high winds. Most of the hail reported was in the pea to marble size, with the larger stones in the nickel to quarter size range. The primary mode of severe weather was high winds and several tornadoes. The secondary, but significant threat, was heavy rainfall. A band of 3 to 5 inches of rain fell between U.S. Highway 30 and U.S. Highway 20 during the event. The heaviest rainfall total was in Greene County at Jefferson, with 5.90 inches. Tornadoes began to touch down in western Iowa in Crawford County with two brief touchdowns. One was west of Dow City, causing roof and shingle damage to a farmhouse there. The next was east of Denison where a barn roof was removed and a trailer house was destroyed. A tornado in Carroll County caused damage to 3 farmsteads southeast of Templeton. A machine shed was completely destroyed and numerous other buildings sustained damage. Trees also had substantial damage. Two tornadoes touched down in Calhoun County. One near Farnhamville, tore the roof off of a home and downed power lines. The second caused damage to trees, outbuildings, and power lines on four farmsteads. Farther south, a brief touchdown was reported in Dallas County in open fields west of Minburn. Another tornado touched down in Dallas County later on, west of Adel, and was on the ground for about 4 miles. A more substantial tornado touched down near Murray in Clarke County with one reported on the ground for about 9 miles. As the storms moved east, another tornado was on the ground for over 10 miles in Warren and Marion Counties. The most significant tornado occurred in Marion and Mahaska Counties where an EF2 tornado was on the ground for about 18 miles. Several homes were damaged along its path, two mobile homes were destroyed, and considerable damage was done to trees in the area. Up to 10 people were injured with this tornado, mainly in Attica. The official damage count from this tornado included 5 homes destroyed, 15 with major damage, and another 25 with minor damage. Many of the storms produced high winds with several reports of winds in the 65 to 75 MPH range. Considerable tree damage was reported and some structural damage, mainly outbuildings and shingle damage. Two cars were blown off of the road east of Manning by the high winds. Building debris was blown onto Highway D60 near Gowrie, causing a brief closure. High winds in Butler County blew down a machine shed and barn southwest of Aplington, very near to where an EF5 tornado struck just days before. Extensive damage was done to a farmstead there with some damage done to the house itself as well. Lightning struck a man in Carroll. The lightning bolt hit his driveway, blowing out a chunk of concrete out of the driveway and also injured the man. He was taken to hospital, treated, and released with minor injuries. Flooding became a significant issue after the heavy rainfall of the previous few days. Extensive river flooding occurred across the central third of the state. Record crests were recorded on the Iowa River at Marshalltown.
Event Narrative Water was reported over the road at 175th and Voss Ave.


All events for this episode:

Location County/Zone St. Date Time T.Z. Type Mag Dth Inj PrD CrD
Totals: 0 11 2.843M 190.00K
JEFFERSON GREENE CO. IA 05/29/2008 11:00 CST-6 Heavy Rain 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
JEFFERSON GREENE CO. IA 05/29/2008 16:30 CST-6 Heavy Rain 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
ODEBOLT SAC CO. IA 05/29/2008 19:17 CST-6 Hail 0.88 in. 0 0 1.00K 0.00K
ODEBOLT SAC CO. IA 05/29/2008 19:27 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 50 kts. EG 0 0 1.00K 0.00K
ODEBOLT SAC CO. IA 05/29/2008 19:27 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 52 kts. EG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
SAC CITY SAC CO. IA 05/29/2008 19:27 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 52 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
DOW CITY CRAWFORD CO. IA 05/29/2008 19:37 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 30.00K 0.00K
DENISON CRAWFORD CO. IA 05/29/2008 19:45 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
DENISON CRAWFORD CO. IA 05/29/2008 19:45 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
DENISON CRAWFORD CO. IA 05/29/2008 19:46 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 150.00K 10.00K
MANNING CARROLL CO. IA 05/29/2008 20:02 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 57 kts. EG 0 0 3.00K 0.00K
TEMPLETON CARROLL CO. IA 05/29/2008 20:10 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 200.00K 10.00K
CARROLL CARROLL CO. IA 05/29/2008 20:15 CST-6 Lightning 0 1 0.00K 0.00K
SOMERS CALHOUN CO. IA 05/29/2008 20:23 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 50.00K 0.00K
FARNHAMVILLE CALHOUN CO. IA 05/29/2008 20:25 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 30.00K 0.00K
FARNHAMVILLE WEBSTER CO. IA 05/29/2008 20:27 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
FARNHAMVILLE WEBSTER CO. IA 05/29/2008 20:27 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
VINCENT WEBSTER CO. IA 05/29/2008 20:45 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
WEBSTER CITY ARPT HAMILTON CO. IA 05/29/2008 20:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
WEBSTER CITY ARPT HAMILTON CO. IA 05/29/2008 20:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 57 kts. EG 0 0 3.00K 0.00K
DALE GUTHRIE CO. IA 05/29/2008 21:42 CST-6 Hail 0.88 in. 0 0 0.00K 5.00K
APLINGTON BUTLER CO. IA 05/29/2008 21:45 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 40.00K 0.00K
FANSLERS GUTHRIE CO. IA 05/29/2008 21:48 CST-6 Hail 1.00 in. 0 0 2.00K 5.00K
APLINGTON BUTLER CO. IA 05/29/2008 21:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 57 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
JAMAICA GUTHRIE CO. IA 05/29/2008 21:56 CST-6 Hail 0.88 in. 0 0 0.00K 5.00K
GARDINER DALLAS CO. IA 05/29/2008 22:06 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
DOW CITY CRAWFORD CO. IA 05/29/2008 22:32 CST-6 Flash Flood 0 0 25.00K 0.00K
BAXTER JASPER CO. IA 05/29/2008 23:30 CST-6 Funnel Cloud 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
KENNEDY DALLAS CO. IA 05/29/2008 23:50 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 100.00K 5.00K
MT CARMEL CARROLL CO. IA 05/29/2008 23:53 CST-6 Flash Flood 0 0 25.00K 0.00K
FARLIN GREENE CO. IA 05/29/2008 23:55 CST-6 Flash Flood 0 0 25.00K 0.00K
SHIPLEY STORY CO. IA 05/30/2008 00:11 CST-6 Flash Flood 0 0 50.00K 10.00K
AMES STORY CO. IA 05/30/2008 00:25 CST-6 Flash Flood 0 0 25.00K 0.00K
CRESTON UNION CO. IA 05/30/2008 00:38 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 50 kts. MG 0 0 3.00K 0.00K
CRESTON UNION CO. IA 05/30/2008 00:41 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 50 kts. MG 0 0 3.00K 0.00K
CRESTON ARPT UNION CO. IA 05/30/2008 00:43 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 50 kts. MG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CRESTON UNION CO. IA 05/30/2008 00:47 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 56 kts. MG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
SCRANTON GREENE CO. IA 05/30/2008 01:23 CST-6 Flash Flood 0 0 100.00K 10.00K
CRESTON UNION CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:00 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 52 kts. EG 0 0 3.00K 0.00K
LORIMOR UNION CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:12 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 50 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
MURRAY CLARKE CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:13 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 50.00K 0.00K
MURRAY CLARKE CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:16 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 59 kts. MG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
MURRAY CLARKE CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:21 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 64 kts. MG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
LORIMOR UNION CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:30 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 52 kts. EG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
MILO WARREN CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:45 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 35.00K 0.00K
LUCAS LUCAS CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:45 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
LACONA WARREN CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 25.00K 0.00K
LACONA WARREN CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 65 kts. EG 0 0 50.00K 0.00K
OAKLEY LUCAS CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:51 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
LACONA WARREN CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:51 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 30.00K 5.00K
NEWBERN MARION CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:54 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 50.00K 5.00K
LACONA WARREN CO. IA 05/30/2008 03:56 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 56 kts. EG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
NEWBERN LUCAS CO. IA 05/30/2008 04:00 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 65 kts. EG 0 0 25.00K 0.00K
NEWBERN LUCAS CO. IA 05/30/2008 04:00 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 61 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
COLUMBIA MARION CO. IA 05/30/2008 04:07 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 10 750.00K 25.00K
ONTARIO STORY CO. IA 05/30/2008 04:11 CST-6 Flash Flood 0 0 250.00K 25.00K
BUSSEY MARION CO. IA 05/30/2008 04:13 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 65 kts. EG 0 0 50.00K 0.00K
ULMER SAC CO. IA 05/30/2008 04:16 CST-6 Flash Flood 0 0 25.00K 0.00K
OLIVET MAHASKA CO. IA 05/30/2008 04:21 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 75.00K 10.00K
OSKALOOSA MAHASKA CO. IA 05/30/2008 04:30 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 50 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
OSKALOOSA MAHASKA CO. IA 05/30/2008 04:39 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 56 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
LA PORTE CITY BLACK HAWK CO. IA 05/30/2008 06:11 CST-6 Flood 0 0 25.00K 0.00K
TOLEDO TAMA CO. IA 05/30/2008 06:11 CST-6 Flood 0 0 100.00K 10.00K
KELLEY STORY CO. IA 05/30/2008 06:15 CST-6 Flood 0 0 250.00K 50.00K
SAC CITY SAC CO. IA 05/30/2008 06:20 CST-6 Heavy Rain 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
SWEA CITY KOSSUTH CO. IA 05/30/2008 06:20 CST-6 Heavy Rain 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MANNING CARROLL CO. IA 05/30/2008 06:20 CST-6 Heavy Rain 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
BUCKEYE HARDIN CO. IA 05/30/2008 06:20 CST-6 Heavy Rain 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CLUTIER TAMA CO. IA 05/30/2008 06:38 CST-6 Heavy Rain 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
NEVADA MUNI ARPT STORY CO. IA 05/30/2008 16:50 CST-6 Flood 0 0 50.00K 0.00K
Totals: 0 11 2.843M 190.00K