Rain continues to fall over inundated area
Published 10:36 am Thursday, June 19, 2014
By Trey Mewes and Jason Schoonover
Another day, another dose of rain for the already-inundated Austin waterways. It’s not going to be over until this weekend.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning early Thursday for the Austin area until 1:30 p.m. In addition, the weather service extended flood warnings in the Austin area for the Cedar River, Dobbins Creek and Turtle Creek through Saturday, unless the flood waters recede sooner.
The stormy week continued in Austin and the region this morning as another severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the area after 6 a.m. NWS meteorologists estimate an inch of rain fell in the Austin area as of 8:30 a.m. Thursday. Anything extra could be problematic after more than 3 inches of rain Monday.
Austin received 0.8 inches of rain this morning, 4.72 inches of rainfall since Monday and 7.74 inches of rain this month.
However, it appears the worst of the storm again missed the Austin area. Flash flood watches were in effect this morning in northeast Iowa and into Wisconsin as close as Howard County, which borders Mower County to the southeast. The NWS reported flooded basements and mudslides in Iowa.
After this morning’s storms, the weather service warned of the potential for another round of storms in the same region this afternoon and this evening, especially in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin.
One forecast model called for heavy rains of an inch per hour and an additional 1-2 inches of rain in some areas. Large hail and high winds were also possible.
In Austin, the weather service forecast called for a high of 83, heavy rain tonight and up to an inch of rain this evening, though NWS meteorologists say the storm could change its course depending on the region’s warm front.
“If it moves up or down, it could affect just how much rain your area could get,” NWS meteorologist Tom Stangeland said.
The chance of rain doesn’t end tonight. There’s a 30 percent chance of rain on Friday and Saturday, a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms on Sunday, and a 30 percent chance of storms on Monday.