Flood — Clay, Iowa

2024-06-21 to 2024-06-25 · near Peterson, Clay, Iowa

Event narrative

Rainfall amounts across Clay County from June 20-22 ranged from 3 to 7 inches. Farther north and upstream, up to 10 inches of rain fell across portions of northwest Iowa. This rainfall resulted in extensive overland flooding and record flooding along the Little Sioux and Ocheyedan Rivers.

The city of Spencer experienced catastrophic flooding when waters from the Little Sioux and Ocheyedan Rivers overtopped the city's berm system. At peak flooding, approximately 383 people were rescued, leaving hundreds of residents displaced. Eighty homes had collapsed or caved-in foundations and roughly 2,100 structures of the 5,100 throughout the city were damaged by flood waters. Numerous others had sewage backup into their basements.

Many other residences outside of Spencer were also impacted by flood water. County-wide, over 2,400 households were approved for federal disaster assistance, at a cost of over 22 million dollars. Widespread overland flooding also resulted in numerous township, county, and state roads inundated with water and closed. Preliminary damage assessments estimate loss to public infrastructure to be 3.59 million dollars.

One direct fatality occurred on June 22 when a man drowned after attempting to drive across a flooded road with rapidly flowing water. The vehicle was swept off the roadway and moved downstream before coming to rest along a tree line.

The majority of overland flooding subsided by June 25, but river flooding continued through the end of the month. For additional information on river flooding, please see other entries for Clay County.

Wider weather episode

A multi-day significant heavy rainfall event from June 20-22 resulted in widespread rain totals between 5 and 10 inches across portions of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota. As rainfall reached area streams and rivers, major to record flooding was observed, devastating several towns and communities. Extensive overland flooding also resulted in significant impacts and damages. All river crest information is preliminary until made official by the gauge owner.

A Presidential Disaster Declaration was signed for Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, Plymouth, O'Brien, Osceola, Sioux, and Woodbury Counties.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (42.9120, -95.3867)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1197156. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.