Rainy weather washed out many fireworks displays and now the runoff is threatening homes and businesses. National Weather Service meteorologist, Aubry Wilkins, says a couple communities in particular are facing rising water.
Wilkins says the worst flooding right now is in the south and east, with the worst in Ottumwa and Eddyville. She says Ottumwa is experiencing “major flooding”, while Eddyville is seeing “moderate flooding.” Ottumwa city officials say a mobile home park with some 300 people was evacuated due to flooding.
Eddyville residents saw backed up sewers with the heavy rain. Wilkins says some areas got large amounts of rain. Wilkins says the amount of rain was localized, with some reports of an inch to two inches in the west and one report of seven inches in the south. The Des Moines River in Ottumwa is expected to crest today at 17.9 feet.
The Army Corps of Engineers sent two pumps to Eddyville to help with the flooding. Wilkins says there could be some relief from the rain later this week. She says there could be more rain tonight and tomorrow, but things should start to dry out by Thursday. Twenty-eight counties were under a flood watch or warning. Find out more at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/desmoines.