OTTUMWA — Area flooding prompted flash flood warnings from the National Weather Service and road closures by the city of Ottumwa.

A nice Sunday — over 60 degrees in Ottumwa — actually brought about the unwanted and sudden melting of accumulated snow.

Sunday night, Tom Rodgers, the information director for the City of Ottumwa, sent out three press releases warning of road closures due to flooding.

The first road to close Sunday was Wildwood Road, from Highway 34 down to Swanson Avenue including the Venture Drive “exit” onto Wildwood.

Rodgers said he himself saw “nearly 100 yards of Wildwood under water at depths up to 3 feet.”

Officials said Bear Creek running over its banks after the snow melted was to blame for that problem, but other areas suffered, too.

“Snowmelt runoff is causing isolated flooding in many neighborhoods in Ottumwa,” reads the third release from the city. “[Often], stormwater grates get jammed full of ice and stop draining or the storm sewer is already full and cannot take in additional water. Public Works crews are closing streets as needed and attempting to clear the blockages if possible.”

Though relieved to see some roads were draining better than expected, Rodgers said later Sunday night, he had reports of 20 local streets closed at one point.

However even into Monday, Rodgers said, motorists should “at least be prepared to take an alternate route” in case they encounter a blocked road.

Rodgers warned drivers never to try driving through floodwater on the roadway. There’s no telling how deep the water is, or how fast it’s moving under the surface.

“I saw one of the big Dodge [trucks] try to go through, and the water was up to its headlights,” he said. “Please don’t try it.”

Last week, a think tank of rescue workers and area officials feared a sudden thaw would lead to impassable mud on county roads. That created concern for emergency workers like firefighters and paramedics.

Rescue teams around Wapello County worked out ways to get through difficult areas, but warned residents on gravel roads would have to help each other and be patient with rescuers.

The National Weather Service was predicting cold weather for after press time Sunday night, with 1-3 inches of snow possible and a winter weather advisory over parts of the area.

Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.