PHOTO BY THE DAVIS DUO

CHELSEA — After a particularly wet July across Iowa, residents of Chelsea are once again dealing with high water levels and flooding — a familiar challenge for the small Tama County town nestled in the floodplain of the Iowa River and Otter Creek.

This summer’s heavy rains have swollen waterways across the region, and Chelsea, one of Iowa’s most flood-prone communities, is feeling the effects. Water has pooled in low-lying areas, forcing some residents to take precautionary measures and city crews to monitor infrastructure closely. While not catastrophic, the flooding has renewed concerns about long-term vulnerability in a community where water is never far from mind.

Chelsea’s flood risk stems from geography. The town sits entirely within a lowland terrace floodplain, boxed in by the Iowa River to the north and Otter Creek to the south. With little elevation to serve as natural protection, even moderate rainfall can result in dangerous conditions. It’s a risk that’s embedded in the town’s identity — and its history.

Major flood events have repeatedly impacted Chelsea over the past century. Notable floods struck in 1918, 1944, 1947, and 1960, but it was the flood of 1969 that signaled just how exposed the community could be. Then, in 1993, record-setting rainfall led to some of the worst flooding Chelsea had ever seen.

Homes and businesses were inundated, and many residents were forced to evacuate. While some left the community permanently, others stayed and rebuilt.

PHOTO BY THE DAVIS DUO

Floodwaters returned again in 2008, as Iowa experienced one of its most devastating flood years in recent memory. Chelsea, though smaller than neighboring communities like Cedar Rapids or Iowa City, still saw significant water damage and disruption.

Today, flood modeling suggests that roughly 78% of Chelsea properties remain at risk of some level of flooding over the next 30 years. And with climate patterns becoming increasingly erratic, town leaders and residents continue to keep a wary eye on the forecast.

As Chelsea dries out from July’s storms, the summer of 2025 serves as yet another reminder of how deeply intertwined the town’s story is with the water that surrounds it.

PHOTO BY THE DAVIS DUO

PHOTO BY THE DAVIS DUO

PHOTO BY THE DAVIS DUO