DES MOINES — A flood watch remains in effect for our area through Friday morning.

Flood watches have been issued by the National Weather Service in Des Moines as well as the NWS in the Quad Cities for much of the state of Iowa; these watches are in effect until 1:00 AM on Friday.

A prolonged period of showers and thunderstorms is forecast to continue now through tomorrow evening. This rain will be falling on already saturated soils. Rainfall totals will range from 2 to 4 inches in a southwest to northeast oriented band across central Iowa, with locally higher amounts likely. This rainfall may lead to flash flooding. In addition, poor drainage and low lying areas may experience ponding. All this rainfall will cause rises on area rivers, which may exceed flood stage in at least a few locations.

Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain.