Evacuations and sandbagging efforts are underway in portions of north-central and northeast Iowa following heavy rains overnight. National Weather Service Meteorologist Brad Small says many areas received over a-half-foot of rain.
*
Portions of the Winnebago, Shell Rock, and Cedar Rivers will rise to NEAR record levels.
*
An emergency shelter has been set up at North Butler High School in Greene. Classes at the school and throughout the district were canceled Thursday. In Floyd County, the Cedar River in Charles City is expected to crest in the MAJOR flood stage at 20.7 feet Friday afternoon. Sandbags are being made available to Charles City residents, who are being urged to conserve water and warned to prepare for potential evacuations. More rain is in the forecast for tonight. The heavy rainfall between Wednesday afternoon and this (Thursday) morning was accompanied by large hail and at least three tornadoes.
Heavy rains fell across much of the north metro of the Twins Cities last night causing flash flooding from Rockford through Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park — up toward Coon Rapids and Blaine. National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Franks:
South Central Minnesota was also hit hard, seeing anywhere between three to seven inches. The airport in Waseca is reporting 13.91 inches over the past 48 hours.
