Forecast Contrast...Sunny and Flooding

When you have wall-t0-wall sunshine and flooding...you might be living in central Iowa. This situation happened in 2008 and now again in the floods of 2010.

Thankfully we have seen the clear skies and rain has been choked off to the west and south. It has allowed the rivers to slowly go down in northern Iowa. From Saylorville to the Red Rock Reservoir... we are still waiting for the peak river levels after the emergency spillway is allowed to spill-over tomorrow morning.

There is still a chance for rain on the 4th of July. This will do more to worry folks. This round of rain does not look heavy like the rainfall events that lead to the flooding this year.

You will see some video over the next several days of the historic 1993 flood in Des Moines. It was a benchmark for flooding in the U.S. It is also a major moment my 25 year career. Just one of those times you have in life that will be a story to tell for the rest of your life.

In 1993 I was one of the few who volunteered to stay at the station as flood waters took over the Des Moines Grand Prix. The race was stopped because water from the Des Moines an Raccoon Rivers started to lap up on the course downtown.

As the night progressed... I had to get on the air and tell all of Des Moines that the Water Works Station was flooded and water would be shut off to the city. I never guessed that would be the beginning of the most significant weather event in my career.

All the staff was called out. Everyone started pouring in the reports as the river water poured over the streets of Des Moines.

The first shift that June 10th was 30 hours. No water. No power. Only limited lights, a hand-held mic and one camera.

Our viewers...neighbors are the best. People volunteered everything to help others in need. Strangers were sleeping on the floor of other's family rooms. Other cities in the metro opened their arms and resources to Des Moines.

You really can't imagine what flood water does to a building. I would rather have a house blown apart by a tornado than to try to salvage a home that had water standing to the roof-line.

We are praying that this time round the flooding is not what it was in '93 and '08.

Thanks to all those who are and have been working to make sure history does not repeat.