Flash Flood in Dubuque County, Iowa

Five to six feet of water flooded city streets in downtown. Major road damage resulted, including buckled roads and pavement washed away. Approximately 25 residential blocks were affected. Basements in over 60 houses were flooded with water from 2 feet deep up to the rafters. Flooding was reported between 20th and 28th Streets and between between Washington and Jackson streets. State damage estimates were set at $17 million in Dubuque.

Torrential downpours of rain fell across much of Dubuque County during the evening of July 27 and early morning hours of July 28 resulting in flash flooding of much of the county, especially in Dubuque, IA. Rainfall totals of 7 to 15 inches were common across the area, with most of the rain falling in under 12 hours.||Numerous roads and bridges were washed out and many others closed, causing Dubuque County to run out of barricades. Several neighborhoods were evacuated, including the Valley Hill trailer park where the water was 6 feet deep. Many creeks in the area raged out of their banks, including Catfish Creek. Very early estimates of damage to infrastructure alone exceeded $3 Million. Numerous roads and streets were flooded, with some eroded or washed away completely. Among the hardest hit areas was the vicinities of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Elm Street and the Millwork District. The Dubuque water treatment plant was heavily damaged, with estimates between $1.5 Million and $2 Million. A basement wall caved in at 1790 Chaney Road on Dubuque's West End.

Flash flooding along the The North Fork of the Maquoketa River caused extensive damage in Dyersville. Numerous businesses across town sustained major damage. The costliest damage occurred at Scale Models, which sustained an estimated $150,000 in damage. Other businesses reported flooding to depths of 7 feet in their basements. About 100 people were evacuated from 60 homes. State officials set the preliminary damage estimates from Dyersville at $3 to $5 million.