(Spencer)– Thunderstorms brought torrential rain and hail the size of walnuts to portions of the region today (Monday).
Rain in excess of three inches has fallen on some areas forcing rivers and streams that were already running high from last winter’s snow melt back out of their banks.
The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for the Little Sioux River at Spencer and Linn Grove. At Spencer the Little Sioux is expected to rise above flood stage by 5:00 p.m. today (Monday) and crest near 10.7 feet on Wednesday (April 14th). Flood stage at Spencer is 10 feet.
At Linn Grove the Little Sioux rose above the 18 flood stage early this (Monday) afternoon and is expected to crest near 18.5 feet tonight (Monday) with a second crest near 18.4 feet on Thursday (April 15th). The river is expected to fall below flood stage at Linn Grove by Friday (April 16th). The National Weather Service says additional possibilities for rain over the next couple of days will temper that.
The storms also pelted some areas with large hail. Inch and-a-half diameter hail was said to be covering the ground about a mile south of Sioux Rapids early this (Monday) afternoon. Golf ball size hail was reported on the south side of Emmetsburg with quarter size reported on the north side of town around 3:15 p.m. In Jackson, pea to penny size hail was reported covering the ground around 3:35 p.m.
1.8 inches of rain had fallen at the KUOO studios as of 3:00 p.m. Monday (4/12).
