Hamilton Co. may face rising waters in coming days
Flood warnings for Stratford area issued Monday afternoonSTRATFORD - A flood warning was issued Monday for the Stratford area as Hamilton County faces a forecast with warmer temperatures and rainy conditions over the next week.
The National Weather Service issued the warning for the Des Moines River near Stratford and from the Boone River to near the city of Boone. At 2 p.m. Monday, the river was at 7.7 feet and steady, according to the NWS.
The flood warning said the river is expected to rise above flood stage- 14 feet - Thursday morning and could continue rising to 24.5 feet by March 16, according to the warning.
"Changes in the timeing and amount of expected snow melt and rainfall may affect the forecast," the NWS stated and advised area residents to watch for forecast updates.
In Webster City, the Boone River was at 3.5 feet Monday, according to City Manager Ed Sadler.
"We will start the flood plan when the river is at 12 feet and expected to go higher. The city has modified the flood plan as late as last week," he said.
"When the river is at 12 feet, the trail will be under water," he said. "Once we are at 9 feet, dispatch will monitor the hydrologic site every two hours, 24-hours a day."
According to the NWS Advanced Hyrdological Service, at 18 feet, flooding may occur west of the river to Union Street and east to Elm Street. At 16 feet, flooding occurs along both banks on the east part of town. At 14 feet, some residential areas near the river in Webster City are affected. At 10.2 feet, the water will cross the city walking path just south of the Second Street bridge and also over the walk just north of the Bank Street bridge.
Sadler said that once the river is at 12 feet and expected to go higher, the flood plan will go into effect. This includes barricades, sand deposits and the City going door-to-door to warn people who are affected.
