(Des Moines) The National Weather Service says flood warnings remain in effect for portions of central Iowa as rivers continue to rise following recent heavy rainfall.
A Flood Warning remains in effect until late Tuesday morning for the South Skunk River at Colfax, affecting Marion, Polk and Jasper counties. Moderate flooding is occurring along the river from the Jasper-Polk County line to the Jasper-Marion County line.
At 2:45 a.m. Monday, the river stage was 19.4 feet, above the flood stage of 18.0 feet. The river is expected to remain at its crest of 19.4 feet Monday morning before falling below flood stage late Monday night.
At 19.0 feet, water affects the earthen levee west of Colfax near the sewage disposal area. Evacuations may occur on the northwest side of Colfax, and flooding is occurring in Reasnor.
Meanwhile, a Flood Warning is now in effect from Monday morning through late Tuesday morning for the Iowa River near Tama Highway E49, affecting Tama and Poweshiek counties. Minor flooding is forecast along the river from Timber Creek near Le Grand to Salt Creek near Belle Plaine.
The river was at 12.2 feet at 3 a.m. Monday and is forecast to rise above its 12.5-foot flood stage Monday morning. It is expected to crest at 12.7 feet Monday evening before falling below flood stage late Monday night.
At 12.8 feet, water affects portions of C Avenue and D Avenue south of U.S. Highway 30.
Officials remind motorists to never drive through flooded roadways, noting that most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. River forecasts include both observed rainfall and forecast precipitation over the next 24 hours.
