Strong Iowa Storms Cause Flooding, Leave Thousands without Power

Carolyn Williams
Published: July 20,2016 




 
Strong storms clobbered Iowa Tuesday with heavy rain, leaving thousands without power and flooding roadways in Des Moines.
Multiple roadways in the Des Moines metro area were inundated during the morning and afternoon, NBC Des Moines reported.

“A slow-moving cluster of thunderstorms dumped extremely heavy rainfall over parts of Iowa, prompting the National Weather Service to issue flash flood warnings, as roadways became flooded and impassable, and rivers and streams overflowed their banks,” said weather.com meteorologist Brian Donegan.
(MORE: At Least 7 Dead, 7 Missing After Heavy Rains Clobber China)
Brian O'Keefe, public information officer for the Des Moines Fire Department, told the Des Moines Register multiple weather-related calls were made to the department between 8:45 a.m. and 3 p.m.

At least two reported tornadoes were spotted, but no damage was reported.
Lightning strikes left nearly 4,100 Des Moines customers without power, KCCI.com said. One of those lightning strikes was responsible for a small apartment fire on Boyd Street, the Des Moines Register also reported.
According to the NWS, damaging winds downed trees onto roadways and lifted the roof off of a barn.
MORE: Severe Weather Outbreak, West Virginia Flooding - June 22-24, 2016