Flash Flood — Louisa, Iowa

2008-06-14 · near Oakville, Louisa, Iowa

Event narrative

Major to record flooding caused a levee to fail on the Iowa River at Oakville leading to flash flooding in much of the town. One indirect fatality occurred in rural Oakville in Louisa County. A 35 year old male drowned while attempting to swim across flood waters. He left his car parked with his keys and wallet on one side, and tried to swim across to his home to gather more belongings. He was reported missing on June 14, 2008. A relative told local officials they had warned him not to enter the flood waters, but he replied that he had done it in the flood of 1993. It was concluded by officials that this was not an accidental flood related death.

Wider weather episode

Major to record flooding on the Iowa River caused a levee to fail near Oakville, Iowa in Louisa County on June 14, 2008. An indirect fatality occurred when a 35 year old male drowned in the flood waters in rural Oakville while attempting to swim to his house to gather belongings. He was reported missing on June 14, 2008.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (41.1055, -91.0678)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 117094. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.