Wednesday Flood Update

AREAS OF CONCERN

State
officials continue to closely monitor the Mississippi River in southeast Iowa while aggressively
coordinating recovery efforts in other parts of the state.

Keokuk

The
river is projected to crest in Keokuk on Thursday afternoon at 27.4 feet, just
under the record of 27.6 feet.

Iowa
National Guard troops and other state resources remain in the area and are
ready to help local officials respond to any emergency.

Local
officials along the Mississippi in southeast Iowa have used the days
before the river surge to effectively raise levees to protect key
infrastructure items like water treatment plants. “All state resources
will be used to continue this flood fight,” Governor Chet Culver
stressed.

The
Governor visited Fort
Madison and
Keokuk Wednesday afternoon to ensure local officials and first responders
have the state resources they need.

Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Police have requested
assistance via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) for
additional law enforcement support. Additional officers are requested to
provide public safety and law enforcement services in flood zones in the
city. Officers from Minnesota and Nebraska will supplement Iowa law enforcement resources to provide
this support and are being implemented as phased in
deployments on a timeline established by Cedar Rapids Police.

Officials understand the frustration of Cedar Rapids residents who
want to return home. They stress they are working to clear the evacuated area
of all hazards to ensure a safe reentry. Sink holes, downed power lines and
uncovered manholes remain a hazard. While the city’s water capacity has
improved, residents are asked to conserve water. Linn County
has established regular press briefings and residents are encouraged to tune to
those for the latest information. Large portions of the city have been opened
for reentry.

Four Disaster Recovery Centers were established in Cedar Rapids Wednesday.
These centers give those impacted by the floods a place to meet face to face
with state and federal workers to learn about specific programs available to
help them and the steps needed to enroll in those programs.

More than 200 National Guard soldiers are in the area to help local officials
with flood preparation and response.

Ottumwa
The
river has crested in Ottumwa.
Though waters are receding, the threat remains that water control efforts could
fail. Citizens are encouraged to use caution in the coming days.

Tuesday Morning Iowa Flood Update

Sandbagging and levee building efforts continue in southeastern Iowa. National guard troops are working in Des Moines and Lee counties to build up levees to protect key infrastructure. There was a levee breach at Gulfport, Illinois, across from Burlington. Officials are reviewing the situation. Early reports indicate the levee breach will force a new road closure. (See Road headings for more information.)

Columbus Junction/Fredonia

The river has crested in Columbus Junction. Officials continue to monitor the Des Moines River.

Ottuwma

Army Corps of Engineers will slow the Red Rock release rate from 115,000 CFS to 100,000 CFS. This change means that the water will stay at the 21.3 for 12 - 14 days.

Ottumwa will continue to build up the berm around the water treatment facility. Sandbagging efforts are going smoothly.

Cedar Rapids

Officials understand the frustration of Cedar Rapids residents who want to return home. They stress they are working to clear the evacuated area of all hazards to ensure a safe reentry. Sink holes, downed power lines and uncovered manholes remain a hazard. While the city’s water capacity has improved, residents are asked to conserve water. Linn county has established regular press briefings and residents are encouraged to tune to those for the latest information.

via Governor Culver’s Website

Cedar River Receding, Update on Iowa

via Associated Press on YouTube

6 A.M. Iowa Flood Update

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Governor Chet Culver . Lt. Governor Patty Judge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2008

Contact: State Emergency Operations Center
(515) 323-4222

06:00 AM UPDATE ON FLOODING IN IOWA

JOHNSTON - Below is the latest update on flooding in Iowa.

I. AREAS OF CONCERN
*NEW* Waterloo
Due to overnight severe weather in Northeastern Iowa, there are power
outages in Black Hawk County.

Des Moines
750 National Guard soldiers are currently deployed in Des Moines.

Last night a levee breach in Des Moines’ Birdland Park Neighborhood resulted
in the evacuation of more than 200 homes.

North High School is flooded.

Reported numbers in shelters by American Red Cross: Harding Middle School,
40 people; Callanan School, 5 people

Coralville
Members of the Coast Guard Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) assisted
with getting recreational boats and three people out of the water in
Coralville.

Iowa City
Members of the Coast Guard Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
transported waste water treatment employees to the facility, and assisted
transporting employees to the animal care facility in Iowa City.

Local officials have ordered mandatory evacuations for several areas of Iowa
City with more than 200 homes affected.

350 National Guard soldiers are currently deployed in Iowa City and local
officials continue to work to protect critical structures within the area,
including filling and delivering sandbags.

A shelter has been established at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.

Columbus Junction/Fredonia
Water is rising behind the IC & E Railroad Bridge located downstream of the
confluence of the Iowa and Cedar Rivers.

River levels have forced local officials to order an evacuation of the
entire town of Fredonia, and lower portions of Columbus Junction.

Nursing Homes residents in Columbus Junction have been relocated to
Washington, Iowa.

Ottuwma
Army Corps of Engineers will slow the Red Rock release rate from 115,000 CFS
to 100,000 CFS. This change means that the water will stay at the 21.3 for
12 - 14 days.

Ottumwa will continue to build up the berm around the water treatment
facility. Sandbagging efforts are going smoothly.

At 7:00 PM Saturday the state was 19.3 feet.

The river will continue rising to near 21.3 feet by early Sunday afternoon
then begin falling.

Oskaloosa
Officials continue to monitor the levees around the water treatment plant.

At 9:30 PM Saturday the stage was 24.3 feet.

The river will continue to fall to a stage of 23.5 feet by Monday morning.

Oakville
Earlier this evening, Des Moines County Emergency Management reported a
levee break at Oakville in southeastern Louisa County. The area south in
Louisa County and into Des Moines County to Quawka was projected to be
inundated within 3 hours.

Local officials have ordered a mandatory evacuation for the community.

Cedar Rapids
There is still a mandatory evacuation order in effect for parts of Cedar
Rapids, which affects more than 20,000 people.

Concerns still remain for Cedar Rapids water treatment plant. Capacity has
been reduced to 25% percent. City officials are asking people not to take
showers or wash laundry, and to conserve water however they can.

IMPORTANT: Do not enter areas affected by flooding unless instructed by
emergency personnel to do so. This includes, but is not limited to areas
subject to both mandatory and voluntary evacuations.

Remember: Public safety is everyone’s job. Evacuate means evacuate!

via Jay Wagner