Another afternoon of active severe weather brought heavy rains and the threat of flash flooding to central Iowa.
Heavy rain caused flooding issues in Ames and rotation was observed in clouds around the Iowa Speedway in Newton as the area was under a tornado warning.
All watches and warnings have expired for central Iowa, but major flooding continues in some eastern Iowa communities after heavy rain and possible tornadoes.
Flood flood emergency issued for Davenport
Davenport and Bettendorf in eastern Iowa are experiencing significant flash flooding across the city, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service warns this is a dangerous situation and that residents need to seek higher ground.
Law enforcement reported to the weather service that many roads, including main thoroughfares, were flooded. The city has seen between 2 to 3.5 inches of rain as of 6:40 p.m. Friday, with as much as 2 inches of additional rain possible.
Flood waters have also been reported in the first floors of buildings and vehicles are stalling, the weather service said.
On social media, the NWS warned people to avoid traveling at all in Davenport and Bettendorf. Drivers should never try to drive through a flooded road.
Des Moines area removed from tornado watch
The Des Moines metro has been removed from a tornado watch issued earlier Friday by the National Weather Service.
Around 5:45 p.m., the weather service canceled the watch for 10 of its 21 counties.
The following counties are no longer included:
The watch does continue until 8 p.m. for the remaining areas.
Johnston closes trails, water access points
The Johnston Parks Department has closed trails and water access points due to flooding. Barricades and gate closures are in place to notify those trying to access the trails, according to a city press release.
Closures include:
How much rain did we get?
Multiple rounds of severe storms have brought nearly 3 inches of rain to central Iowa since 12 a.m. Friday, July 12.
The heavy rain caused some flash flooding issues in Ames and prompted a flash flood warning for much of the Des Moines metro until 10 p.m.
Here are some of the highest rainfall totals between 12 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday:
The rain is just the latest in a rainy week. Here are the highest totals since 12 a.m. Thursday, July 11:
Tornado warning issued for Clarke County
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for northwestern Clarke County until 4:45 p.m.
At 4:19 p.m., a storm capable of producing a tornado was over Murray, or about 10 miles west of Osceola. It was moving east at 25 mph.
The storm is expected to reach the Lakside Casino around 4:35 p.m.
Tornado reported in southwest Iowa
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Taylor County after an observed tornado near New Market.
Shortly before 4 p.m., emergency management officials confirmed a tornado about 10 miles east of Clarinda that was moving east at 15 mph. The storm was moving toward Gravity.
The warning is in effect until 4:30 p.m.
Philip Joens
After a storm system brought heavy rain and reports of rotation within clouds, the Iowa Speedway is shutting down for the rest of the day.
By 3:30 p.m. drivers, crew members and others were allowed to leave the safety of the track's media center. IndyCar canceled remaining track activity for the day just before 4 p.m. An updated schedule will be released later, according to IndyCar officials.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the Des Moines metro area until 10 p.m. Friday, July 11.
As of about 4 p.m., the area had received 1-2 inches of rain with an additional 1-2 inches possible through Friday evening.
The weather service warned of flooding in small creeks and streams, roads and other areas with poor draining or that are low-lying.
Drivers should avoid flooded street and everyone should avoid walking through any standing water.
Waukee sees flooding, downed tree limbs
The pedestrian underpass and trail at 10th Street that goes from Triumph Park to Stratford Crossing Park in Waukee is closed due to flooding, according to a news release. In Centennial Park, a fallen tree limb is stuck in the tree next to the bridge on the western side of the park. The bridge is closed until it can be removed.
Jose? Mendiola
The National Weather Service in Des Moines says they have not received confirmed tornado reports in Newton. They have received photos but they said it appears to be a rotating wall cloud, not a tornado, said meteorologist Chad Hahn.
Tornado warning for Newton area expires, watch remains for much of Iowa
A tornado warning for Jasper County and areas around the Iowa Speedway was allowed to expire at 3:15 p.m.
Much of the state to the south and east of Des Moines remains under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. as conditions are right for dangerous storms to form throughout the evening.
Meanwhile in Ames, heavy rain caused flash flooding off University Avenue near Hilton Colosseum. See the photos:
Philip Joens
At least two different areas of rotation were visible from the Iowa Speedway in Newton over the last 30 minutes.
One area of rotation was seen behind the main grandstand at the speedway and passing to the west. An earlier area was seen passing to the northeast around turn four of the track.
Journalists at the event could not see if the rotation reached the ground.
Philip Joens
On Friday a critical practice was scheduled for IndyCar to make the second lane raceable. Practice was scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. but tornado sirens on the infield whaled around 2:37 p.m. as IndyCar asked people in the infield to seek shelter in the media center.
IndyCar qualifying is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday. The forecast for Saturday and Sunday is much better with sunny skies and highs in the 80s forecast.
Track severe weather, potential tornadoes on Iowa radar
Follow the latest conditions in central Iowa with the latest radar loop from the National Weather Service's Des Moines radar
Where do IndyCar fans go during a storm?
Iowa Speedway has no basement for fans, drivers or other personnel to seek shelter in.
Crew members and drivers, who stay in recreational vehicles on the grounds, were asked to seek shelter in the Iowa Speedway media center.
Alex Palou, who has won three of the last four IndyCar titles, has a 113-point lead on second-place Kyle Kirkwood and won this year’s Indianapolis, took shelter in the media center from the storm with his infant daughter.
Fans were asked to seek shelter in their cars.
The National Weather Service has tips on how to stay safe during a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning:
A possible tornado approaching from the northwest was visible over turn four of the oval track at the Iowa Speedway on Friday afternoon.
Around 2 p.m. practice for IndyCar’s developmental series IndyNXT was yellow flagged due to rain on the racetrack. About 5 minutes later, fans were asked to clear the grandstands as lightning approached the track.
The National Weather Service then issued a tornado warning. Fans were asked to seek shelter in their cars.