According to the National Weather Service, Fort Dodge received 2.36 inches of rain Tuesday evening as measured at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport with more than 3 inches estimated in the southern part of the city. Winds at the airport gusted up to 58 mph.

“Our system can handle a lot, but that much rain in a short time period is difficult,” Public Works Director Brett Daniel said of the flash flooding.

According to Fort Dodge Police Chief Dennis Quinn, officers received 29 weather related calls as a result of the storm. Fifteen calls were for motorist assists after drivers drove into flooded streets and were stranded. Fourteen calls were for downed tree limbs blocking roadways, traffic light problems, and other storm issues.

Wednesday morning, the city temporarily closed Mason Memorial Drive after the nearby creek flooded and washed out part of the road.

-Photo by James Leith
Flooding occurred in the area of Seventh Avenue South and South 21st Street after torrential rains fell in Fort Dodge on Tuesday evening.

“We’ve been going full bore to clean up storm debris and cleaning storm intakes since 7 a.m.,” said Daniel. “We had guys out Tuesday night cleaning up downed trees as well.”

Resident James Leith, who lives in the area of Seventh Avenue South and 21st Street, said that Tuesday night’s flooding was the worst he’d ever seen in his neighborhood.

“It’s a nightmare,” said Leith. “Last night the intersection and the whole street were flooded. It was up over the city sidewalk and down to the end of the block. Areas of our neighborhood that are always dry had flooding. This is the worst it’s ever been.”

According to Leith, the storm sewer intakes in the intersection were last replaced in the 1950s and have been broken since at least the 1980s, leading to flooding when there is a heavy rain.

“My dad used to work for the city street department and he would show us,” said Leith. “I told my mom last night that it’s insane how bad it’s gotten. There is always flooding. It’s a problem for everyone. Even when the city went in and did maintenance, these aren’t connected and haven’t been for a generation at least.”

Leith said his family and neighbors have been in contact with the city and have been told that repairs are planned for the area in 2027.

“Between now and then, anytime it rains, this is going to be flooded,” said Leith.

The National Weather Service is forecasting additional rain throughout the remainder of the week. But even with additional precipitation, Webster County Emergency Management Coordinator Dylan Hagen said he does not anticipate flooding problems.