Mahaska County gets soaked

Rising waters once again Muchakinock Creek

From heat to flood, Mahaska County seems to have gotten it all. Overnight the area received 3-4 inches of rain in a matter of hours prompting officials to issue a flash flood warning. At 11:30 am, the South Skunk River north of Oskaloosa was at 19.39 feet and rising. Flood stage is 20 feet. The river is expected to rise to 21 feet tomorrow before falling below flood stage.

Farther north in Des Moines, heavy rain forced officials to open the floods gates on 63^rd street due to major flooding on the Walnut Creek. As a result of heavy rain, the Walnut Creek did in fact reach a new record level. The previous record was set in 1986 and was 18.3 feet. The new record set overnight is 18.59 feet. Strong storms also caused many power outages in Des Moines and other areas across the state. As a result of a lighting strike, a town hall in the Des Moines metro area caught fire and was deemed a total loss.