Flood — Allamakee, Iowa

2023-05-01 to 2023-05-04 · near Lansing, Allamakee, Iowa

Event narrative

Significant upstream runoff from the combination of heavy rainfall and rapidly melting snow resulted in the fourth highest crest on record in Lansing towards the end of April. Subsequent dry conditions allowed the Mississippi River to slowly recede and drop below minor flood stage in Lansing on May 4th.

Wider weather episode

The combination of heavy rain and anomalously warm temperatures melting a deeper than average snowpack during April resulted in third to fifth highest crests on record and moderate to major flooding at sites along the Upper Mississippi River in Iowa. Initial minor flood stage was reached in the middle of April with near record crests towards the end of April. In response to the flooding a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency was issued for counties along the Mississippi River by the Governor of Iowa. Drier conditions for the latter half of April and well below normal rainfall through May allowed the Upper Mississippi River to steadily recede, dropping below minor flood stage at sites along the Mississippi River in Iowa in the middle of May.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (43.3477, -91.1897)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1100283. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.