Over 8 inches of Rain Causing Flash Flooding

Evacuations, sandbagging and road closures are keeping Northeast Iowans extremely busy today.

Today's flooding is caused by an estimated 8 and a half inches of rain falling in Decorah and Winneshiek County, and over 5 and a half inches in the Dorchester area, in Allamakee County.

The result is evacuations in Fort Atkinson, Protivin and Freeport. Emergency shelters have been set up in Decorah, for those displaced by the rising Iowa River.

The Turkey River at Elkader is expected to rise past its flood stage of 12 feet, and reach nearly 25 feet by Thursday afternoon.

Numerous Northeast Iowa roads were either covered with runoff, or washed out.

Several schools in the area closed today: Decorah, Howard-Winneshiek, North Winneshiek, Turkey Valley and New Hampton.

Meanwhile, a Flash Flood warning remains in effect for the area, until 11am Thursday (Aug. 25).

Motorists are urged not to travel in those areas, and never drive through flood waters: "Turn Around, Don't Drown".