Climate change brings drought and flooding risks to Iowa

IOWA (KWQC) — While parts of Iowa continue to deal with drought conditions, experts say climate change is also leading to more intense rainfall events and flooding risks.

Despite recent rainfall in some areas, much of Iowa remains dry.

Matt Russell with the Iowa Farmers Union said about three-fourths of the state is currently experiencing dry conditions, including parts of Clinton and Scott counties.

Russell said climate change can bring long stretches of dry weather followed by a single heavy downpour. He said farmers can sometimes experience what he calls “the worst of both.”

“You can be experiencing drought pressure in the same year that you’ve been washed out because of heavy rain,” Russell said. “We’ve seen that increase over time. Farmers in Iowa are trying to manage those extremes in their crops as well as livestock.”

Russell said more farmers are recognizing that climate change is affecting agriculture and that adapting to extreme weather is becoming an important part of farm management.

Climate scientist Dr. Kerry Cook said more intense rainfall does not necessarily mean more rain overall.

She said some regions could see less total rainfall, but more of it falling during short, intense storms.

Cook said dry soils can actually increase flooding risks because hard-packed ground may not absorb water quickly.

“When the soils are dry, sometimes, depending on what kind of soil is there, it can become very hard-packed, compacted, and when those intense rains fall, they’re not absorbed by the soil, it causes flooding as they run off,” Cook said.

Cook said dry soil isn’t the only concern. When the ground is already saturated before a storm, that extra moisture can help fuel stronger storms and increase the risk of flooding.

The Midwest typically sees its greatest flood risk during the spring, when strong storms are most common.

Cook said preparation is key and encourages communities to have strong warning systems in place and emergency plans ready before severe weather strikes.