Flash Flood — Polk, Iowa

1997-02-19 · near Des Moines, Polk, Iowa

Wider weather episode

Significant ice jams took place along the Raccoon River along its lower reaches. One occurred where the river flows through a gravel pit on the west side of the Des Moines area. A woman was driving across a flood plain road when one of the ice jams suddenly broke. The water rose quickly and her vehicle was swept off the road with her in it. The woman was drown with both her body and vehicle found several hours later in 30 feet of water. The incident occurred around 0930 CST. Reports indicate water began to overtop the road about 0810 CST, however reports indicated that the water was not very deep when she first started along the road.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5586136. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.