Flooding Closes Park, Road; City Workers Keeping Eye on Unpredictable Walnut Creek

West Des Moines public works officials closed Walnut Woods State Park Tuesday afternoon and planned to close Walnut Woods Drive around 10 o’clock Tuesday night as the Raccoon River continues to rise.

West Des Moines officials are also monitoring Walnut Creek, the Des Moines Register reported.

Public Works Director Bret Hodne said Walnut Creek tends to rise and drop quickly and is prone to flash flooding, while the river levels rise and recede more slowly and predictably, according to the newspaper.

Heavy rainfall in the northern  part of the state is causing both the Raccoon and Walnut Creek levels to increase. It may be another 48 hours before they crest.

So far, there is no major flooding in the city. Hodne told the newspaper he thinks West Des Moines will avoid flooding unless substantial rain falls in a short period of time.

Thunderstorms remain in the forecast through Thursday night.