This Day in Weather History September 19
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1994: A severe thunderstorm dropped very large hail as it cut a swath from around Osage and Charles City east southeast through Dubuque during the afternoon hours. Hail as large as 4.5 inches in diameter was reported in Dubuque resulting in millions of dollars in damage.
1912: Thunderstorms produced heavy rain across portions of northeastern Iowa overnight on August 18-19. At Dubuque 5.17 inches of rain fell in less than six hours with 1.88 inches of that total falling in just one hour. Severe flash flooding occurred in the city with several tons of brick, stones, and other debris washed down the streets. Electric car service was suspended due to water and debris covering the tracks and Union Park was largely washed out when its creek quickly overflowed its banks. Railroad tracks were also washed out and cellars were flooded throughout the city. The heavy rains across the area also caused a rapid rise on the Maquoketa River which flooded the pumping station and electric plant at Maquoketa, cutting off water and electrical service to the city for nearly a day.
1898: Thunderstorms produced severe straight-line winds, locally heavy rain, and some hail across about the northwestern third of Iowa during the late afternoon and evening hours. In a swath about 10 miles wide and 15 to 20 miles long running between Spencer and Emmetsburg all crops were cut to the ground by strong winds and very large hail. In the area around Spirit Lake the severe winds caused widespread significant damage to buildings, trees, and utility poles. Freight cars were blown over and numerous barns and outbuildings were completely destroyed. A couple was killed in Clay County near Peterson when the barn they took shelter in was blown to pieces. A man was also killed by lightning near Boone.
