Flash Flood — Montgomery, Iowa

2007-05-07 · near Red Oak, Montgomery, Iowa

Event narrative

Heavy rain for the second consecutive night caused flash flooding along Red Oak Creek in Red Oak as the creek backed up because of high flows on the East Nishnabotna River. Authorities attempted to evacuate nearly 1,600 people, beginning around 300 am local time, although not every attempt was successful. The water caused extensive damage to many basements in town, but no serious injuries were reported. In total an estimated 50 homes were damaged by flooding.

Wider weather episode

Rainfall of 4 to 8 inches fell over much of eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa over the weekend of May 4th, 5th and 6th, 2007. Besides causing localized flash flooding, the heavy rain also produced areas of prolonged river and creek flooding over the region.

Heavier 96 hour rain amounts ending Monday morning included...

Across eastern Nebraska...

7.46 inches at Omaha Eppley, 7.15 in Falls City, 6.91 at Bellevue, 5.03 in Syracuse, 4.94 at Auburn, 4.90 in Lincoln, 4.88 at Plattsmouth, 4.55 at Fairbury and 4.39 at the NWS in Valley.

Over western Iowa...

7.98 inches at Logan, 7.87 in Randolph, 7.52 in Shenandoah, 6.96 at Red Oak, 6.36 at Sidney, 6.32 in Onawa, 6.11 at Clarinda, 6.10 at Harlan and 6.04 at Oakland.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (41.0200, -95.2300)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 21949. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.