The National Weather Service office in Omaha/Valley, Nebraska has issued a Flood Warning covering 8 areas across two states. The warning was issued September 15 at 4:11 PM CDT and remains in effect until September 17 at 4:00 AM CDT.
The affected counties are Montgomery, Adair, Dallas, and Polk counties in Iowa, and Citrus, Levy, Marion, and DeSoto counties in Florida. Polk County includes the Des Moines metro area, while the Florida counties cover parts of the state’s west-central and Gulf coast regions, including the Ocala area.
What Readers Might Notice
A Flood Warning means flooding is already occurring or is imminent – this is a step above a Flood Watch. Residents in these counties may see water rising over roads, especially low-lying crossings and underpasses, as well as swollen creeks, streams, and drainage ditches. Basements in flood-prone neighborhoods may take on water, and some rural roads may become impassable. If you encounter a flooded roadway, do not drive through it – even shallow moving water can stall or sweep away a vehicle.
Practical Steps Right Now
First, avoid unnecessary travel overnight, when floodwater is hardest to see. Second, move vehicles, valuables, and anything stored in basements or ground floors to higher ground if you live in a low-lying or flood-prone area. Third, keep a phone charged and monitor local NWS updates in case the warning is extended or upgraded, particularly if you live near a river or creek in the warned counties.
This information comes from the National Weather Service (NWS Omaha/Valley office), the official source for flood warnings in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Flood Warning serious?
Yes – a warning means flooding is happening now or about to happen, unlike a watch, which only means conditions are favorable. Treat it as a prompt to act, not panic.
What should I do right now if I'm in one of these counties?
Avoid driving on flooded roads, move valuables off basement or ground floors, and stay tuned to local NWS updates until the warning expires early September 17.
How long will this Flood Warning last?
The current warning runs from 4:11 PM CDT on September 15 until 4:00 AM CDT on September 17, though it can be extended or expanded if conditions change.
Why are both Iowa and Florida counties in one warning?
The alert is an aggregate covering 8 separate areas; the two states are experiencing separate flooding situations, but each listed county is individually under the same type of warning. Follow guidance from your local NWS office for your specific area.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waxing Crescent (21% illuminated), in Scorpio.
Notable planetary angles: Sun sextile Mars (60°), Moon square Jupiter (91°), Jupiter trine Saturn (124°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 2.0; strongest recent solar flare: nothing notable.
This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.
