Recent rain has provided relief to a short term drought in much of the region caused in part after well-below average snowfall was recorded in the region.

Countywide, 1-2” of precipitation has fallen since Sunday, with 1.75 tallied in Pella during that time and just under two inches reported at our studios in Knoxville.

Other totals (since Sunday through Wednesday evening):
Cedar Creek near Bussey – 2.60
Lake Red Rock – 2.30
Whitebreast Creek near Melcher-Dallas – 2.38

The following roads are closed due to flooding:
Quebec from 30th to 40th
108th Pl. from Perry St. to Pierce St.
170th Ave. From Vermont Dr. to Monroe Co. Line
168th Ave. From Vermont Dr. to Monroe Co. Line
130th Ave. From Oregon Dr. to Hwy 14
Vermont/Utah From Hwy 5 to East of Hwy 5 One Mile

For the second time this week, the English Creek near Knoxville topped its banks, and many area streams have risen between three to five feet in less than six hours.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor will be released tomorrow, but the most recent data shows abnormally dry conditions through the southern half of Marion County, with a short-term drought reported in Monroe and most of Lucas Counties.

According to the National Weather Service, Marion County saw upwards of 15-20 inches of snow less than the seasonal average from November 1st through the end of March. Typically, south central Iowa sees 28-30 inches of snow annually.