There were a number of factors leading to this. We have had a cold February with more snow than usual. There was still a good snow pack on the ground and the ground was still frozen when temperatures rose and we got heavy rain that also served to melt the snow. So the rain and snow melts could not soak in, the ice on the rivers broke and jammed against bridges. Additionally, releases from reservoirs in the Dakotas had been increased to make room up for expected snow melts. All this hit at the same time, with little warning. I know that BNSF had several westbounds on the Iowa side that they sent back east to detour.
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