July 2-3 and July 3-4, 2026 Flash Flooding Des Moines and Ames

News Headlines

Overview

Significant flash flooding occurred late on the night of July 2 into the morning of July 3 with another episode late on July 3 into the early morning of July 4 that impacted central Iowa communities, especially within Polk, Story, and Jasper counties.

Late on July 2 into the morning of July 3, thunderstorms slowly moved over the same areas of northern Polk and southern Story Counties. Rain totals of 5 to 10 inches were common in these areas with isolated higher amounts. This rainfall caused flash flooding with the water eventually flowing into area streams. This included Fourmile Creek, which flows into the eastern part of the Des Moines metro and recorded the preliminary second highest crest at Easton Blvd behind the record June 30, 2018 Des Moines flash flood.

Another round of heavy rain fell a bit farther north late on July 3 into the morning of July 4 from Jasper through Polk, Story, and Boone counties and up into southern Calhoun and northeastern Carroll counties. In Newton, significant street flooding occurred in uncommon locations from 2 to 4 inches of rain. Some of the highest rainfall totals were around the Ames area where totals of 4 to 7 inches were common with isolated higher amounts. This resulted in flash flooding with significant street flooding occurring in places that normally do not observe street flooding. This rainfall routed into area streams and rivers with river gages in Ames on the Ioway Creek and South Skunk River reaching minor flood stage.

Last updated: July 8, 2026

Flooding at Ioway Creek at Duff Ave in Ames. Via Story County EMA.

Rain/Flood Reports - July 2-3
Rain/Flood Reports - July 3-4
Hydrographs
Radar
Photo & Video

Rain and Flood Reports - July 2-3

The featured map combines NOAA MRMS 24 hour rainfall total estimates derived mostly from RADAR with observed values from CoCoRaHS, NWS COOP, and NWS Local Storm Reports. Full feature available here. Courtesy of Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
904 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1143 PM     Rain             Cambridge               41.90N 93.53W
07/02/2026  M4.73 Inch       Story              IA   Public           

            Personal weather station KIACAMBR11 rainfall 
            so far. 

1143 PM     Rain             Maxwell                 41.89N 93.40W
07/02/2026  M4.98 Inch       Story              IA   Public           

            Personal weather station KIAMAXWE23 rainfall 
            so far. 

1145 PM     Rain             3 NNW Elkhart           41.83N 93.54W
07/02/2026  M7.61 Inch       Polk               IA   Public           

            Personal weather station rainfall so far. 

1256 AM     Rain             1 NW Ankeny             41.75N 93.62W
07/03/2026  M5.65 Inch       Polk               IA   Public           

             

0102 AM     Rain             2 N Ankeny              41.77N 93.59W
07/03/2026  E5.50 Inch       Polk               IA   Public           

            Via KCCI-TV. 

0132 AM     Rain             2 NNW Alleman           41.84N 93.62W
07/03/2026  M4.98 Inch       Polk               IA   Mesonet          

            Iowa Flood Center gage near NW 2nd St at 
            Alleman. 

0148 AM     Flash Flood      3 WSW Elkhart           41.78N 93.57W
07/03/2026                   Polk               IA   Dept of Highways 

            Iowa DOT is closing I-35 northbound from 
            mile marker 94 to 97. The water is 6-12 
            inches deep with some reports as high as 
            waist deep. 

0210 AM     Rain             Alleman                 41.82N 93.61W
07/03/2026  M8.60 Inch       Polk               IA   Broadcast Media  

             

0222 AM     Flood            3 SE Alleman            41.79N 93.57W
07/03/2026                   Polk               IA   Dept of Highways 

            I-35 southbound exit ramp to NE 126th Avenue 
            East is flooded. 

0330 AM     Flood            2 ESE Alleman           41.81N 93.58W
07/03/2026                   Polk               IA   Public           

            Northeast 22nd flooded between Ankeny and 
            Alleman. Time estimated from report 
            information. 

0600 AM     Rain             1 N Polk City           41.79N 93.72W
07/03/2026  M8.90 Inch       Polk               IA   Cocorahs         

            24 hour rainfall totals as of 6:00 AM, as 
            reported via cocorahs. 

0630 AM     Rain             Mccallsburg             42.17N 93.39W
07/03/2026  M7.20 Inch       Story              IA   Public           

            24 hour storm event total as of 6:30am. 

0645 AM     Rain             Roland                  42.16N 93.50W
07/03/2026  E5.09 Inch       Story              IA   Trained Spotter  

            5.09 inches since late Thursday afternoon. 

0730 AM     Rain             Polk City               41.77N 93.72W
07/03/2026  M9.41 Inch       Polk               IA   Cocorahs         

            24 hour rainfall totals as of 8:00 AM, as 
            reported via Cocorahs. 

0750 AM     Rain             Huxley                  41.90N 93.60W
07/03/2026  E5.00 Inch       Story              IA   Public           

            As of 8 AM, 24-hour rainfall totals of 5 
            inches have been reported at several 
            locations. 

0800 AM     Rain             Slater                  41.88N 93.68W
07/03/2026  M5.50 Inch       Story              IA   Trained Spotter  

            Storm total so far. 

0800 AM     Rain             1 W Polk City           41.77N 93.73W
07/03/2026  M9.67 Inch       Polk               IA   NWS Employee     

            24 hr rainfall through 8 am on 07/03. 

0800 AM     Rain             1 WSW Polk City         41.77N 93.73W
07/03/2026  M11.00 Inch      Polk               IA   Public           

            24 hour rainfall totals as of 8:00 AM, as 
            reported via social media. 

0836 AM     Rain             2 E Ankeny              41.74N 93.57W
07/03/2026  M9.27 Inch       Polk               IA   Public           

            24 hr rainfall as of 836 AM. Reported via 
            personal weather station. 

0846 AM     Rain             Slater                  41.88N 93.68W
07/03/2026  E5.50 Inch       Story              IA   Trained Spotter  

            24 hour rainfall totals as of 8:00 AM, as 
            reported via email. 

0920 AM     Rain             Polk City               41.77N 93.72W
07/03/2026  M9.00 Inch       Polk               IA   Public           

            24 hour rainfall totals as of 9:00 AM, as 
            reported via social media. 

0932 AM     Rain             3 NNW Elkhart           41.83N 93.54W
07/03/2026  M10.00 Inch      Polk               IA   Public           

            24-hour rainfall total as of 8:00 AM, as 
            reported via social media. 

0947 AM     Rain             4 NE Bondurant          41.73N 93.41W
07/03/2026  M5.20 Inch       Polk               IA   Public           

            24 hour rainfall totals as of 8:00 AM, as 
            reported via email. 

1000 AM     Rain             3 NE Maxwell            41.92N 93.36W
07/03/2026  M6.50 Inch       Story              IA   Public           

            24 hour rainfall totals as of 10:00 AM. 

1000 AM     Rain             Collins                 41.90N 93.31W
07/03/2026  M8.54 Inch       Story              IA   Public           

            24 hour rainfall totals as of 10:00 AM. 

1000 AM     Rain             2 NE Pleasant Hill      41.61N 93.48W
07/03/2026  E7.00 Inch       Polk               IA   Public           

            24 hour rainfall totals as of 10:00 AM, as 
            reported via social media. Location 
            estimated. 

1010 AM     Rain             Elkhart                 41.79N 93.51W
07/03/2026  M12.60 Inch      Polk               IA   Broadcast Media  

            24 hour rainfall totals as of 10:00 AM, as 
            reported via email. 

1039 AM     Rain             2 NE Granger            41.78N 93.80W
07/03/2026  M5.34 Inch       Polk               IA   Cocorahs         

            24 hour rainfall totals as of 6:30 AM, as 
            reported via Cocorahs. 

1130 AM     Rain             Mitchellville           41.66N 93.36W
07/03/2026  M5.50 Inch       Polk               IA   Broadcast Media  

            Storm event total through 11:30 am. 

1130 AM     Rain             Manson                  42.53N 94.54W
07/03/2026  M5.25 Inch       Calhoun            IA   Broadcast Media  

            Storm event total through 11am. 

1200 PM     Rain             2 W Fort Dodge          42.51N 94.22W
07/03/2026  M4.48 Inch       Webster            IA   Trained Spotter  

            Total through morning. 

1221 PM     Rain             Colfax                  41.68N 93.24W
07/03/2026  M5.80 Inch       Jasper             IA   Broadcast Media  

            24-hour storm event total, from a picture 
            sent via Slack.

Rain and Flood Reports - July 3-4

Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
907 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0120 AM     Flash Flood      Nevada                  42.02N 93.45W
07/04/2026                   Story              IA   Law Enforcement  

            Vehicle stranded in a couple feet of water. 
            Flash flooding observed in spots that are 
            not known to flood in the area. 

0310 AM     Flash Flood      1 NE Newton             41.70N 93.03W
07/04/2026                   Jasper             IA   Public           

            Street flooded and storm drainage 
            overflowing. 

0323 AM     Flash Flood      3 WNW Mitchellville     41.68N 93.40W
07/04/2026                   Polk               IA   Broadcast Media  

            State radio relayed flooded interstate. 

0326 AM     Flash Flood      3 ESE Ames              42.00N 93.57W
07/04/2026                   Story              IA   Broadcast Media  

            State radio relayed flooded on-ramp. 

0334 AM     Flash Flood      2 N Ames                42.05N 93.62W
07/04/2026                   Story              IA   Public           

            Roads flooded and people stranded. 

0556 AM     Flash Flood      1 NW Colfax             41.68N 93.25W
07/04/2026                   Jasper             IA   Dept of Highways 

            Delayed report. IA 117 closed due to 
            standing water at mile marker 7.6 (between 
            Co Rd F48 and I-80). 

0600 AM     Flash Flood      3 WNW Maxwell           41.91N 93.46W
07/04/2026                   Story              IA   Public           

            Two-day storm rainfall totals reached up to 
            15 inches, causing widespread flash 
            flooding. Water is covering roadways and has 
            risen up to local homes. Report time is 
            estimated. 

0700 AM     Rain             2 NNE Ames              42.04N 93.61W
07/04/2026  M5.34 Inch       Story              IA   Cocorahs         

            24 hour rainfall report via Cocorahs. 

0743 AM     Flood            3 ESE Ames              42.00N 93.57W
07/04/2026                   Story              IA   Dept of Highways 

            I-35 northbound exit 111 ramp closed due to 
            water flowing over the road. 

0800 AM     Rain             Ames                    42.02N 93.63W
07/04/2026  M8.80 Inch       Story              IA   Public           

            48 hour storm total. Report sent in via 
            social media. 

0820 AM     Rain             Ogden                   42.04N 94.03W
07/04/2026  M5.00 Inch       Boone              IA   Public           

            24 hour rainfall total. Report sent in via 
            social media. 

0857 AM     Rain             1 NW Ames               42.03N 93.64W
07/04/2026  M5.10 Inch       Story              IA   Public           

            Rainfall total since midnight. Report sent 
            in via social media. 

0900 AM     Rain             1 S Ankeny              41.72N 93.60W
07/04/2026  M12.00 Inch      Polk               IA   Public           

            48 hour rainfall total. Report sent in via 
            social media. 

0930 AM     Rain             Lake City               42.27N 94.73W
07/04/2026  M3.60 Inch       Calhoun            IA   Public           

            24-hour rainfall total. Report sent in via 
            social media. 

0930 AM     Rain             Polk City               41.77N 93.72W
07/04/2026  E13.50 Inch      Polk               IA   Public           

            24 hour rainfall total. Report sent in via 
            social media. 

1000 AM     Rain             Johnston                41.67N 93.73W
07/04/2026  E8.00 Inch       Polk               IA   Public           

            48-hour rainfall total. Report sent in via 
            social media. 

1200 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Emmetsburg              43.11N 94.68W
07/04/2026                   Palo Alto          IA   Emergency Mngr   

            Local EM reports large branches down. 

1215 PM     Rain             Gilbert                 42.11N 93.65W
07/04/2026  M3.50 Inch       Story              IA   Trained Spotter  

            24 hour rainfall total. 

0101 PM     Rain             3 NNW Ames              42.06N 93.64W
07/04/2026  M6.26 Inch       Story              IA   Trained Spotter  

            Amount since the evening of 7/3. Observer 
            reported the rain started after 11 pm on 7/3 
            and mainly fell in 2 hrs. 48-hr rainfall 
            total was 9.11 inches. Reported by 
            meteorology professor at Iowa State 
            University. 

0248 PM     Rain             Garner                  43.10N 93.60W
07/04/2026  M4.75 Inch       Hancock            IA   Public           

             

0600 PM     Rain             4 NW Napier             42.02N 93.77W
07/04/2026  M4.20 Inch       Boone              IA   CO-OP Observer   

            24 hour observations from COOP AMSI4 - Ames 
            8 WSW.

Hydrographs


Fourmile Creek at NE 47th St in Ankeny	Fourmile Creek at NE 86th Ave in Ankeny	Fourmile Creek at Easton Blvd in Des Moines


South Skunk River at W Riverside Rd in Ames	Ioway Creek at Lincoln Way in Ames	South Skunk River at US-30 in Ames

Radar

Header


Radar loop from the evening of July 2 into the morning of July 3	Radar loop from the evening of July 3 into the morning of July 4

Photos & Video

Header


Flooding at Ioway Creek at Duff Ave in Ames. Via Story County EMA.	Flooding on the South Skunk River at 305th Street in Cambridge on 7/4/2026. Via Story County EMA.	Flooding on the Indian Creek in Maxwell on 7/4/2026. Via Story County EMA.	Flooding on the South Skunk River at Riverside Road on 7/4/2026. Via Story County EMA.


Flooding at Ioway Creek at Cameron School Road on 7/4/2026. Via Story County EMA.	Flooding on NW 118th St in northern Polk County between Polk City and Ankeny on 7/3/2026. Via Moeckly Farms.	Flooding near an I-80 interchange near Colfax on 7/7/2026. Via Jasper County EMA.

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