(Undated)– The recent warm weather and melting snow have combined to push several area rivers out of their banks.
The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings along portions of the Little Sioux River and the West Fork of the Des Moines River.
The flood warning for the Little Sioux is in effect until further notice for areas upstream from Spencer; in Spencer it’s in effect until Monday afternoon. The Little Sioux west of Milford was measured at 12.6 feet at 8:00 a.m. this (Fri.) morning–flood stage there is 12 feet. In Spencer the Little Sioux stood at 10.2 feet this (Fri.) morning–flood stage there is 10 feet, with minor flooding expected as of now.
A flood warning was in effect this (Fri.) morning for the West Fork of the Des Moines River at Estherville. As of 9:00 a.m. this (Fri.) morning, the river was measured at 7.1 feet…slightly above the seven-foot flood stage. The river is expected to drop back below flood stage this(Fri.) afternoon in the Estherville area.
And a flood warning for ice jam flooding is in effect until 9:30 this (Fri.) evening for eastern Buena Vista county. Officials say minor flooding of agricultural land is occurring in that area along the North Raccoon River.
Officials say the river predictions could be complicated by how much precipitation falls in a winter storm that’s expected to impact the region the latter part of the upcoming weekend and into early next week.
