Where were you when…

June 15th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Twenty-three years ago yesterday, June 14th, a 24-hour high rainfall rate was reached not only for Atlantic, but for the State of Iowa. The National Weather Service reminded their social media followers about the event, which saw 13.18 inches of rain dumped from the skies onto the landscape. Back in 1998, KJAN (The official NWS Cooperative Weather reporting site for Atlantic), also took soil temperature twice a day. However, we were unable to complete an observation the next day, as the area was covered by several inches of water (7″ at 8am and down to 3″ at 5pm).

Rainfall from slow moving storms led to significant flooding along the East Nishnabotna River that year. The river gauge at Atlantic crested at 22.36 feet, the third highest crest on record. The flow, as shown, was nearly 40,000 cfs (cubic feet per second). KJAN was on-the-air through it all, cut-off by floodwaters until late afternoon, June 15th, 1998. We received supplies and assistance from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office via air boat, and the Iowa National Guard those two days.

Twenty-three years later, we are in great need of water…just not that much…and not all at once.