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The Raccoon River is rising again, prompting street and trail closures, but meteorologist say flooding should be relatively minor and short-lived with a mostly dry week in the forecast.

Near Water Works Park, George Flagg Parkway is closed from Park Avenue to SW 28th Street and SW 30th Street is closed from Bell Avenue to George Flagg Parkway.

The Walnut Creek and Bill Riley trails are also closed, according to a Facebook post from the Des Moines Parks Department.

Recent showers pushed the Raccoon River into minor flood stage over the weekend. At Fleur Drive, the river was at nearly 14 feet Sunday evening and expected to crest Monday morning at 14.34 feet, according to the National Weather Service. At 13.5 feet, the river affects low-lying areas in Water Works Park.

The river is still several feet below the 17.2-foot mark where water begins to flood onto Fleur Drive.

The Des Moines River is up as well. As of Sunday night, the river had flooded parts of the downtown Principal River Walk.

The weather service predicts the Des Moines River at SE 6th Street will crest overnight at 25.5 feet, in minor flood stage. At a few inches higher, at 25.7 feet, water would surround Simon Estes Amphitheater, according to the weather service.

Flooding on the North River Sunday evening south of Norwalk briefly reduced Highway 28 to one lane south of, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. The river is expected to crest overnight.

Most parts of central Iowa received 1 to 1.5 inches of rain during the weekend. The Des Moines International Airport has received 1.31 inches since the beginning of Friday.

Scattered rain showers are possible in metro area Monday afternoon and evening. The rest of the week should stay dry until late Thursday night or Friday morning, when there is a chance of showers, said Kurt Kotenberg, a meteorologist with the weather service.

“This week is looking very different than the last couple weeks in that we’ll be dry for most of it,” he said. ”So start your lawn mowers.”


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