Results tagged “Flood”

Several readers in other parts of the country have asked if I could post at least one before-and-after shot of the Cedar Rapids downtown area.

Here's a file photo of Veteran's Memorial Coliseum:

The photo above was taken from the west side of the Cedar River. You can see the 2nd Avenue Bridge as it spans from 1st Street SW to Mays Island (the name of the piece of land in the middle of the river that was located between the 2nd and 3rd Avenue bridges).

This was close to the same angle on Wednesday:

Cars are parked along the 2nd Ave Bridge, but you can clearly see how the river has swollen. The underground parking across the street was already full of water when this photo was taken.

The final picture is of Veterans Memorial from the opposite (east) side of the Cedar River on Thursday:

Although the angle is a bit different, it's easy to see that the bridge is flooded. Mays Island was barely visible on Thursday -- only the trees are visible today.

Those interested in keeping up with the flooding in Iowa City:

John Deeth, who is located in IC, has photos and assorted information. The University of Iowa News Service has set up a blog with notices and other information directly related to the college campus.

Cedar River Expected to Remain Above Flood Level Until June 24

In a press conference just moments ago, Dave Koch of the Cedar Rapids Fire Department stated that estimated property damage in Cedar Rapids as a result of the flooding is just over $736 million.

It is now believed that 25,000 individuals in the immediate area have been displaced by flood waters.

Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Lee Clancey has requested that any and all area businesses who are heavy water users to cooperate with voluntary conservation efforts. Restaurants are being requested to use paper plates and other disposable items. Car washes are being asked to voluntarily shut down their operations.

Scott Drzycimski, a spokesman for Alliant Energy, has reported that 15,700 customers in the immediate area are without power. Most of those sit either in flooded areas or are adjacent to them.

"We are looking at a long-term recovery process," he said. "We are talking weeks."

Evacuation of Mercy Medical Center is complete, according to spokeswoman Karen Vander Sanden. All non-essential employees were sent home earlier today. When the waters recede, the facility anticipates re-opening.

"Our office is underwater and the jail had to be evacuated," said Linn County Sheriff Don Zeller. He indicated that female prisoners were taken to Mitchellville, other inmates were taken to Anamosa and facilities in Washington County.

Zeller said that immigration enforcement officials released 43 prisoners, relieving more stress from the department.

Those who need to know where an inmate is currently housed should phone (319) 377-9022. The Linn County Sheriff's Department is currently operating from the Marion Police Department.

Cedar Rapids Police Chief Greg Graham reports that although Interstate 380 remains open as the last crossing point of the river in Cedar Rapids, the state anticipates closing portions of 380 between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City at 6 p.m.

Once that section of road is closed, the Iowa Department of Transportation recommends that those wishing to travel between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City take 380 north to Waterloo, go west on 20 to Interstate 35. Once on I-35, travel should be toward Des Moines to connect with Interstate 80 and head east toward Iowa City.

"Now we are going to find out if Cedar Rapids is truly the great city that I think it is," said City Councilman Chuck Wieneke. "This affects all of us."

In May of 2007 the Linn County Supervisors and the Cedar Rapids City Council declared 2008 "The Year of the River," saying that the Cedar River would be "a focal point for our community this year."

I'm sure they couldn't have -- even in their wildest dreams -- realized how true that statement would be.

Tonight we should give thanks that the suggestion by one member of the council for a "decade of the river" wasn't something adopted by the whole body.

The Year of the River should encourage collaboration between the County and City governments, public and private stakeholders, and interested individuals and groups who want a share in the revitalization of the Red Cedar and its banks and should act as a stimulus to investment in our Riverfront for decades to come. "Year of the Red Cedar River 2008″ is the rallying point of support for the City's Vision of sustainable growth and quality of life.

Well, there's obviously a lot of work ahead. Maybe when the waters recede, there will be new opportunities that wouldn't have seemed feasible a year or even a month ago. There's also no doubt that the Cedar River has played a big role in encouraging the collaboration between county and city governments. When you think about it, the river probably went above and beyond what was required, pulling in state and national interests as well.

"Year of the River" or not, I'm personally going to find it a bit difficult to head into downtown next month, sit calmly on the banks of the Cedar and pay homage to its beauty and possibilities. Call me paranoid, but after seeing the fury the river has unleashed, I'm more than a little wary of pumping up its ego once again.

Flood water from the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids is now rising at a rate of two inches per hour, and officials have mandated that any persons within one block of the water's edge must evacuate.

Yesterday officials estimated that the river would crest early Friday morning at a level of 24.5 feet. That guess was washed away today when the river surged to over 26 feet. Officials at the National Weather Service now believe the river will crest in the morning at a level of 32 feet -- a level that has never been seen.

Previous flood records for the river in Cedar Rapids were set in 1929 and 1851 at 20 feet. The river is not expected to recede to that level until next Wednesday or Thursday. The non-flood level is 12 feet.

The video below shows the scene in downtown Cedar Rapids this afternoon. At that time the water had crossed 3rd Street SE and was just beginning to lap into the 5th Avenue and 4th Avenue parking ramps. Cars continued to move in and around the Green Square Park area. Now, however, the flood waters have reached the railroad tracks at the back of the park and officials have closed 6th Street SE (in front of Waypoint).

Further north in the Ellis Park area, the park shelter is underwater. House boats there are beginning to tip as they run out of length on their tethers.

On the south end, the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway Co. railroad bridge was lost to the flood waters this morning, despite loaded hopper cars left on it in an attempt to stabilize it. The bridge and hopper cars are now serving as a mini-dam in the river, forcing waters into areas further inland. Officials are now closely watching the rail bridge that serves Quaker Oats. It is feared that if that bridge gives way, it could slam into the 5-in-1 and affect Interstate 380 -- the only remaining local route across the Cedar River.

A total of 9,000 people in the Cedar Rapids area have been evacuated. Those individuals represent about 3,200 homes that are now either already under water or directly threatened. Natural gas and electricity has been turned off in all affected areas, and officials have urged all area residents to conserve water by using it only for drinking. Due to the flooding, the Cedar Rapids Post Office will no longer be delivering mail. At last estimate, over 100 city blocks were flooded.

The Linn County Sheriff's Department is operating out of Linn County History Center. Inmates at the Linn County jail -- some of them visitors from flooded jails in Vinton -- were evacuated. In midst of the storms this morning, the city's 911 system failed. Calls continue to be routed through the nearby Marion Police Department.

The city's two hospitals -- Mercy Medical Center and St. Luke's Hospital -- are both operating on back-up generators and remain open. The flood waters reached Mercy Medical Center this evening, but there are no current plans to evacuate.

The Czech-Slovak Museum and the African American Cultural Center are both in the flood waters. Linn County Supervisor Lu Barron said that the Czech Museum is drenched up to its door handles. Fortunately, the facilities took steps to protect their collections.

Evacuation shelters have shifted as the river has claimed more of the city. The current shelters are located at Viola Gibson Elementary School, 6106 Gibson Drive NE, and Prairie High School, 401 76th Ave. Only service animals are allowed at these shelters. Pets needing a safe place to stay should be taken to the Diamond V facility at Kirkwood Community College.

The Cedar River continues to rise in Cedar Rapids. The level of the river is currently estimated at 28.5 feet and is expected to crest at 32 feet tomorrow. These photos were taken this afternoon in the downtown area.

The Cedar River has surged over all three downtown bridges -- 1st Avenue, 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue. The underground parking area across from Veterans Memorial Coliseum, shown here, was filled with water yesterday afternoon. Now Mays Island is beginning to disappear.

Water pours over the 2nd Avenue Bridge.

The view looking west on 3rd Avenue.

A stranded car near the intersection of 4th Avenue and 3rd Street SE.

The river has also claimed the 3rd Avenue Bridge and the Linn County Courthouse.

The federal building which sits at the corner of 2nd Avenue SE and 1st Street SE also sits in water. There is still evidence of the repairs that crews were making to the roof just days ago.

Mays Island is barely visible.

The remains of the Penford railroad bridge that collapsed this morning.

A closer look at the collapsed railroad bridge.

Volunteers filling sandbags near Green Square Park.

Sandbags protect the TrueNorth building on 5th Ave. This afternoon the flood waters were roughly one block from this location, just beginning to lap into the 5th Avenue parking ramp.

With the heavy rains in downtown today and no place for the extra water to go, several "flash flood" pools formed in downtown intersections that had previously been dry -- such as this pool at the intersection of 2nd Ave. and 6th St.

Cedar Rapids, a city that literally built itself on the Cedar River, is feeling the fury of Mother Nature tonight as officials call for the mandatory evacuation of everyone within the 500-year flood plain.

In an afternoon City council meeting, officials decided that all of the city's bridges crossing the Cedar River would be shut down at 8 p.m. tonight. The move effectively divides the east and west sides of the city, forcing those who need to cross the river to travel the interstate and/or state highways around the downtown area.

When these photographs and video clips were shot this afternoon, the Cedar River was estimated to be at 20.5 feet. The river is expected to crest Friday morning at 24.5 feet, roughly two feet above the 100-year flood plain level, which prompted the expanded evacuation area.

The 3rd Avenue Bridge was closed earlier Wednesday. Within hours of that closing, the 1st Avenue Bridge was also closed. City workers and emergency services personnel are currently closing the 2nd Avenue Bridge. At this time, the only bridge remaining open is the 8th Avenue Bridge.

Exits from Interstate 380 leading into affected areas have also been closed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. It is unknown at this time when and if the Cedar River bridge on Hwy 30 will be closed. Officials are hesitant to set a time frame for the bridge and exit closures, citing "a much lower river" as the primary indicator of when the infrastructure would be re-opened.

Ann Thelan, a spokeswoman for MidAmerican Energy, said that natural gas is being shut off to properties in the flood plain area. The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has sent messages to membership urging flood preparations. Union production employees at Quaker Oats will end their work day at 7 p.m., according to an email sent by plant officials. There will be no third shift at Quaker and production overtime has been canceled for the weekend.

City, county and federal emergency officials continue to urge residents to steer clear of the downtown area. Traffic congestion and foot traffic throughout the day has made it difficult for local shop owners to sandbag and remove equipment from their businesses.

Residents being evacuated are instructed to pack necessary items including blankets, medical supplies and prescriptions, personal care items and special foods. Once packed, residents should turn off any appliances, plug floor drains and lock all doors and windows. A white cloth should be attached near the front of the home so that emergency workers know the property has been evacuated. Residents who are aware of elderly and/or handicapped neighbors are encouraged to check on those individuals.

Roosevelt Middle School, located at 300 13th St. NW in Cedar Rapids, is open to house evacuees. Pets in need of a place to stay should be taken to the Cedar Valley Humane Society, located on Mount Vernon Road just east of Hwy 13.

Residents in need of transportation should contact Linn County Emergency Management at (319) 363-2671.