Flood — Clayton, Iowa

1999-05-17 to 1999-05-19 · Clayton, Iowa

Wider weather episode

Serious flooding took place along the Turkey and Volga River, causing considerable damage to homes, businesses and crops. In fact, Clayton and Fayette County were both declared federal disaster areas. Many county roads and bridges were washed away, keeping main highways closed for two days. River levels rose nearly a foot an hour, inundating the towns of Volga, Littleport and Garber with as much as 8 feet of water. LP tanks and cars were seen floating away. Even a dozen pigs were stranded on the roof of a barn due to rising flood waters. The Turkey River at Garber (Clayton County) crested at 30.6 feet, breaking the previous flood of record, which was 30.1 feet on May 15, 1991.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5696211. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.