Heavy rains may hit Decorah Thursday night

Flooding in Decorah two years ago damaged this culvert on Trout Run Road

Emergency government officials are keeping a watchful eye on the skies as a storm system moves into Iowa, MInnesota and Wisconsin that is predicted to produce up to six inches of rain--but the question is, "Where?"

The latest forecasts predict one to three inches of rain in Decorah from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning.  National Weather Service Office forecasters believe the main part of the storm will affect Southeastern Minnesota, but they caution that the storm could track differently.  Says the National Weather Service, "Confidence is high that 3 to 5 inches of rain will fall, but the exact location is still somewhat uncertain."

But the forecast has led to a flash flood watch being issued in Houston an Fillmore counties, while Winneshiek County is included in a "Hydrological Outlook" that includes the possibility of large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.

Even at one to three inches of rainfall, flooding is possible across Northeast Iowa.  If the peak of the storm, which is predicted to produce anywhere from two to six inches of rain, shifts further south into Northeast Iowa, the NWS says "even more flooding could occur."

Be sure to monitor weather conditions on Thursday afternoon into Friday morning.  Links to the National Weather Service Office in La Crosse's website are posted under the decorahnews.com "Weather" tab.