DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — This year will go down in the Iowa history books as the third wettest among 144 years of records. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources in its monthly Water Summary Update says the statewide average precipitation in Iowa was 45 inches, nearly 10 inches more than normal for the 2016 water year, which is measured from Oct. 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2016.

Excessive rain in September over north-central and northeast Iowa resulted in flooding and a record crest on the Shell Rock River and the second highest crest on record on the Cedar River. September rain totals varied from just under an inch at Fairfield to over 17 inches near Nora Springs.

The statewide average for the month was 6.29 inches making it the wettest September since 1986.