Schools across the KCII-listening area began classes with wet weather and in total Washington received 0.6 inches of precipitation Wednesday with more rain falling early this morning. Some schools in northeast Iowa, like Decorah, experienced flooding and such heavy rain that school was canceled Wednesday. Wednesday night as thunderstorms rolled across the area, wind speeds were recorded at 42 miles per hour near Washington.

According to the National Weather Service, so far this month Washington has received over five inches of rain, above the normal 3.31 inches. Harry Hillaker, state climatologist for Iowa, says August will determine whether the summer as a whole has rainfall above or below the norm. He said June was a very dry month while July was an inch and a half above normal.

The recent rain locally caused flash flood watches to be issued most of Wednesday. Water levels in the Iowa River at Lone Tree, Columbus Junction and Wapello rose, but remained below flood stage.

Nearly 1,000 Washington County residents were without power Thursday morning. According to Alliant Energy it was mostly in the northern part of Washington and was caused by broken equipment on a power pole. Electricity was restored about 7 a.m.

Listen to KCII for weather updates.