Normally in the first 15 days of May Washington receives 2.13 inches of rain and on May 15th alone Washington had 2.25 inches of precipitation. Most of that rain fell during the severe thunderstorm that swept across eastern Iowa Thursday night. Heavy rain was also reported in Brighton with nearly two inches of rain, nearly 2.2 inches near Salem, 1.5 inches in Fairfield, and a flash flood happened near Libertyville where a creek came out of its banks.

Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen says it’s best to avoid going into water on a flooded roadway whether that’s in a vehicle or by foot, “Less than a foot of swift moving water can move a car, less than six inches move a person. So, especially if there’s current and usually if there’s flash flooding there is a current with that water because there’s so much water moving so quickly, trying to find its way downhill, so don’t go in the water.” In addition to the current, it is unknown what condition the road is in under the water and it may be compromised and washed out.

According to the National Weather Service, the record high rainfall for the entire month of May in Washington was set in 1996 at 11.5 inches.

There is a chance of rain and storms in southeastern Iowa this weekend. Listen to KCII for weather updates.