A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR MUCH OF THE STATE OF IOWA

WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAINFALL HAS IMPACTED THE STATE OVER THE  PAST 5 DAYS WITH CURRENT CONDITIONS INCLUDING SATURATED SOILS…SIGNIFICANT PONDING AND STREAMS RUNNING AT BANKFULL OR ARE CURRENTLY IN FLOOD. ONE TO THREE INCHES OF RAIN IS FORECAST FOR THE AREA THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON. LOCALIZED AMOUNTS OVER 5 INCHES MAY OCCUR.

SIGNIFICANT AND LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING WILL BE POSSIBLE. PERSONS LIVING IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS FLOODED ROADWAYS! AS LITTLE AS 6 INCHES OF RUNNING WATER CAN SWEEP A VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. IN ADDITION…SIGNIFICANT RIVER FLOODING IS POSSIBLE AFTER THIS EVENT.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – This spring is now the wettest on record in Iowa. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says statewide average rainfall of 16.4 inches as of Tuesday morning is the most rain in March, April and May in 141 years of records. The previous record was 15.5 inches in 1892 and normal is just over 10 inches.  That explains why Iowa rivers are overflowing shutting down roads, flooding basements, and sending emergency managers into flood planning mode.
 
The worry is another storm system is bearing down on Iowa bringing the potential for heavy rain. One factor that may have prevented a devastating flood so far is last year’s drought but that benefit has faded and Iowa is at a tipping point for major flooding if heavy rain comes in the wrong places.

Authorities in Montgomery County investigated a rollover accident that occurred this (Wednesday) morning, about 2.5-miles east of Red Oak. Officials say a 1993 Mercury Topaz driven by Samantha McCuen, of Villisca, was traveling west on 200th Street at around 7:10-a.m.  McCuen told authorities that as her car topped a small hill, it was met by a white vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, in her lane of travel. McCuen was unable to provide any other details about the oncoming vehicle.

She swerved to avoid a collision, and in the process lost control of the car, which slid about 219-feet sideways before hitting a culvert. The car then rolled three times before hitting a power pole and coming to rest. The vehicle was a total loss. Damage to the power pole was estimated at $500. A fence owned by John Henningsen also sustained damage, but a dollar amount was not available.

No injuries were reported, and no citations were issued.

An electrical problem was apparently responsible for a fire that damaged a house in rural Shelby County, Tuesday afternoon. Irwin Fire Chief Lynn Gaskill says the fire at  2247 County Road M-56 was reported at around 4:15-p.m. Gaskill says when they arrived, flames were coming through the roof and appearing outside the house. He says they were able to knock down fire on the outside and make entry into the home to contain the spread to one room of the house and the attic. 

Crews from the Defiance and Manning Fire Departments provided mutual aid for Irwin Fire. Firefighters were on the scene for about 2-hours. Gaskill said the damage to the home was contained to one bedroom and the attic. The damage was estimated at around $25,000. No injuries were reported, as the residents of the home were on vacation.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

Officials with the U-S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Kansas report Farm Services Cooperative (FSC), of Shelby,Iowa, has agreed to pay a $21,450 civil penalty to theUnited States for the unauthorized sales of restricted use pesticides. 

According to an administrative consent agreement filed by EPA Region 7 in Lenexa, Kan., the Shelby FSC on three occasions sold restricted use pesticides to an individual that was not certified to apply such pesticides, violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship conducted an inspection of the Shelby facility on November 19th, 2012.  The inspector documented the sale of the restricted use pesticides Atrazine and Grazon to persons not certified to apply such pesticides on three occasions in May and June of the same year. 

Restricted use pesticides are highly toxic chemicals whose misuse may pose significant potential harm to human health or to the environment. Under FIFRA, a restricted use pesticide can be applied only by or under, the direct supervision of a certified applicator. Sale or distribution of restricted use pesticides to persons not certified to apply such products and their subsequent misuse or misapplication may result in environmental harm or in injury or death to persons. 

As part of its settlement with the EPA, Farm Services Cooperative has certified that it is presently in compliance with FIFRA and its regulations.

The Harlan Police Department today (Wednesday) released a weekly report on investigations, arrests and accidents. Officials say a Harlan resident reported on May 23rd, he was missing a 70-horsepower Mercury boat motor. The motor was later located, and no charges were filed.

On Monday, May 27th, 29-year old Danny Sanchez, Jr., of Harlan, was arrested for driving while revoked. Sanchez was taken into custody following a traffic stop.

And, no citations were issued Monday following an accident in the 600 block of Court Street in Harlan. Officials say vehicles owned by Evan Dille, of Manilla, and Tosha Dilks, of Oakland, were parked facing east on the south side of the courthouse in Harlan, when Dille backed up his 1995 Ford and struck the front of Dilks’ 2013 Chrysler. Damage from the mishap amounted to $1,500.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County are warning area residents about a scam involving Walmart.  Sheriff’s Dept. spokesman, Lt. Pat McGinn told KJAN News they’ve received a couple of reports that residents have received calls indicating they’ve won a cash prize, but in order to claim it, they need to go to a Walmart and buy a reloadable “Green Dot” debit card, which are legitimate, but they “winner” is told to call back when they have purchased the money pack, so arrangements can be made to have someone collect it. The attempt to purchase the Green Dot money packs in order to receive a cash prize, is a scam.

Another variation on the scame, includes the person calling about the price instructing the consumer to scratch off a number on the back of the card and call them with that number. In some cases, the callers may claim to be from a debt collection agency. The Green Dot website itself warns customers about possible scams and reminds them to never give their card number to people they don’t know. It says “If anyone asks you to buy a Walmart MoneyCard and then give them the card number, it is a scam.”

Two men were arrested Tuesday evening in Adams County. Sheriff’s officials tells KJAN News 28-year old Colby Lee Baker, of Corning, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office at around 5:30-p.m. Baker, who was wanted on a warrant charging him with harassment, posted a $300 bond and was released pending an initial court appearance.

And, 20-year old Kevin Davis, of Creston, was arrested in Union County, on an Adams County warrant charging him with Identity Theft. Davis was being held in the Adams County Jail on $2,000 bond, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Area and State news with KJAN News Director Ric Hanson….

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