(AP) — About 500 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes in a northeast Iowa town that’s threatened by a rain-swollen creek.

The Butler County sheriff and other emergency officials are in New Hartford on Tuesday to help with the evacuation. Officials went from door to door on Monday to warn residents about the danger posed by Beaver Creek as it nears a record crest level.

New Hartford, nearly 90 miles northeast of Des Moines, was devastated in June 2008 when Beaver Creek crested at a record 16 feet.

The National Weather Service says more than 7 inches of rain fell Monday in portions of the Beaver Creek basin, ground that was already saturated. The rest of Butler County is under a flash flood watch until Wednesday morning.