Emergency Operations Center 2417 Emma St. Ottumwa, IA 52501
641-814-8333
ema@wapellocounty.org

Category: News

General Information on current flooding

1.  Flood waters did not reach the Valley Village Mobile Home Community. Residents should be able to make it back to their homes.  They are encouraged to keep an eye on river levels and forecasts.  Find current National Weather Service river forecasts and Red Rock release forecasts at: www.wapelloready.org/river 2.  Report flood impacted homes.  Find…
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May 29th river projections

We received several questions from residents yesterday about the river forecast being off. This is very important to us as we use data to drive decisions and to give guidance to residents. In conversing with the US Geological Survey and National Weather Service yesterday, a lot was learned by us from this week’s severe storms…
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River level falling

Looks like the river has crested. Reading at 9:30 pm was 15′ 11″. Thank You to everyone who heeded the warnings and stayed safe. This was a tricky few days to forecast with the frequent and heavy rain storms. Red Rock will increase their release from 30,000 cfs to 50,000 cfs on Friday. There were…
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Shelter opening for those displaced by flooding

Des Moines River level projection update since last round of storms is 18.9′ for Wapello County midday Wednesday. Another round of storms is on the way. Rabbit Run Road is currently closed. The alternate route on 120th Ave. is open. Valley Village Mobile Home Community residents are advised to seek alternate housing for the next…
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Ottumwa Dam flow comparison 1993 to 2019 YTD

There has been a lot of chatter about dejavu from 1993. Here is some interesting stream gauge data for our run-of-the-river dam at Ottumwa.

Flash Flood watch until 5/15/19 7am

SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT CONTINUES TO INCREASE AFTER RECENT RAINS   WITH ADDITIONAL MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS ANTICIPATED   LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. RAINFALL AMOUNTS MAY REACH ONE   TO THREE INCHES IN SPOTS IN JUST AN HOUR OR TWO WITH LOCALLY   HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. * HEAVY RAINS MAY PRODUCE FLASH FLOODING IN STREAMS…
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