Des Moines nears September rain record
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More rain on the way in Des Moines could continue to create problems for our already saturated ground.
By the numbers: This week, the metro experienced 2–3 inches of rain, with the west side hit hardest, says Alexis Jimenez, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines.
- As of Tuesday morning, Des Moines had experienced 10.3 inches of rain this month, marking its second-wettest September on record.
- Last September, we experienced only 1.76 inches of rain for the whole month.
- The September record is 14.81 inches, set in 1914.
How it works: A high-pressure system over the southeastern U.S. has been funneling Gulf moisture into the Midwest, Jimenez tells Axios.
- Unlike flooding caused by overflowing riverbanks, the metro is experiencing oversaturated ground with nowhere left for the water to go, says Polk County Emergency Management director A.J. Mumm.
Zoom in: Some of the affected areas include Windsor Heights, Beaverdale, the Franklin Avenue neighborhood, and Mitchellville, though Mumm says flood reports are scattered across the whole metro.
What's next: Periods of rain and thunderstorms will continue through Wednesday, with a possible break Thursday before showers return Friday and last through the weekend.
Be smart: The city of Des Moines offers $1,500 to homeowners to hire a licensed plumber to install a sump pump.
- Polk County's self-reporting tool can help trigger state disaster assistance for lower-income households.
- Mumm advises that you document everything before filing an insurance claim and clearly state that the damage came from ground saturation, not river flooding.