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On this day in Iowa weather history...

1902: A burst of very heavy rain fell around and just north of Decorah during the early morning hours. Officially 3.35 inches of rain was measured in Decorah, but there were estimates of as much as six inches falling in a short time a few miles north of town. This brief downpour produced a severe flash flood which swept through the area damaging dozens of homes and killing at least three people. Large sections of railroad track and nearly all of the bridges in the area were destroyed or severely damaged with virtually all communication and transportation to and from the town cut off. Newspaper accounts indicated that the water rose very rapidly, with many creeks and streams jumping out of their banks within 30 minutes of the rainfall and the water sweeping through Decorah "at terrific speed". One house was carried three blocks by the flood, with the family inside escaping by cutting a hole in the roof and climbing into the second story of another residence against which theirs had lodged.

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