Storms pelt area; flooding a concern

Storms dropping 4-6 inches of rain on Humboldt County and higher amounts to some areas of the north on Monday and Tuesday have many Humboldt County residents scrambling to keep dry. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the East Fork of the Des Moines River from Algona to Lotts Creek west of Livermore until Tuesday afternoon, June 24. At 11:15 a.m. Thursday, the river was at 17.6 feet, .6 feet above flood stage. Minor flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast. The East Fork is expected to crest at 18.5 feet or 1.5 feet above flood stage on Saturday, June 21. A flood warning was issued Wednesday for the East Fork of the Des Moines River at Dakota City, or from County Road C-26 to the Des Moines River. Late Thursday morning, the river at Dakota City was reported at 19.2 feet or .8 below flood stage. The river at Dakota City is expected to rise above flood stage to around 20.7 feet by Saturday afternoon, June 21, and retreat by early Monday morning. Localized flooding could impact the Dakota City Park and large amounts of agricultural ground. A flood warning was also issued for the West Fork of the Des Moines River, impacting Humboldt, Emmet, Palo Alto and Pocahontas counties. In the city of Humboldt, the flood warning extends from the Joe Reasoner Dam to the East Fork of the Des Moines River until further notice. The West Fork at the dam was at 13 feet late Thursday morning, three feet above flood stage, which is 10 feet. Moderate flooding is occurring. Sandbagging was taking place Thursday morning in the West River Drive area in Humboldt. The river is forecast to rise to 13.4 feet, 3.4 feet above flood stage before cresting Friday evening and then slowly falling. The National Weather Service reports that streets along the West Fork in Humboldt could be impacted. Humboldt Mayor Walter Jensen, City Administrator Aaron Burnett, Sheriff Dean Kruger and other city employees met Thursday morning at Humboldt City Hall to discuss emergency measures. Local officials are advising residents to stay away from the river during this time of high water levels. Sandbags are available to the Humboldt Street Department shed on Lewis Street and at the Humboldt County Engineer’s hoop building shed on Highway 3. See more details and photos in the Humboldt Independent. Click on to www.humboldtnews.com for more updated information.

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