The 30 June 2018 Des Moines Flash Flood Emergency Event
A significant flash flood event evolved over the Des Moines metro on June 30-July 1,
2018. By the evening of June 30th, storm development began along a frontal boundary
slowly sagging south through central Iowa. Slow, northerly storm motions coupled with
southerly “backbuilding” of storms along the frontal boundary led to training storms over
the same areas for several hours. The environment was primed for heavy rainfall given
precipitable water values near or exceeding 2” and deep warm cloud depths. Rainfall
rates of up to 5” per hour were realized within the heaviest cores into the late evening
hours and quickly dumped 4-8” of rain over much of the Des Moines metro area, including
reports of up to 10” in the northern suburb of Ankeny.
Flash flooding rapidly developed as the exceptionally heavy rain fell within an urban area.
The dangerous situation eventually warranted a Flash Flood Emergency as numerous
high water rescues took place and significant water was reported in areas that do not
typically see flooding. One fatality occurred as a man was swept area after leaving his
vehicle stranded in swiftly moving water. Damage was reported at a considerable number
of homes and businesses. The high water also prompted the closure of several urban
roads and highways, including a stretch of Interstate 35. According to an Exceedance
Probability Analysis (AEP), the average recurrence interval (ARI) for this event ranged
from 5 years (20% chance of yearly recurrence) for a 30 minute rainfall period) to a 500
year event (0.2% chance of yearly recurrence) for a 3 hour rainfall period.
The presentation will provide an overview of the meteorology, near storm environment,
and radar evolution of the event. It also takes a look at the warning decision challenges
including the issuance of the Flash Flood Emergency, as well as unique challenges
associated with urban flooding in the Des Moines metro area.