The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Wapello, Appanoose and Davis counties, including Ottumwa, Centerville and Bloomfield.
The watch begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday and remains in effect through late Thursday night as several rounds of rain and thunderstorms are expected across the region.
Forecasters say 2 to 4 inches of rain could fall across a large portion of central Iowa, with locally higher amounts possible. The ground is already saturated, and area creeks and streams are running high, increasing the risk for flooding.
Heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding, rising rivers and flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Some rivers could rise above flood stage in parts of the region.
Residents should keep an eye on changing weather conditions, especially if additional heavy rain moves over the same areas.
The National Weather Service recommends checking the latest river and stream conditions and forecasts at weather.gov/desmoines/water.
