Major Iowan Cities Being Evacuated

TokWW · #1 14-Jun-2008, 08:34

Cedar Rapids (eastern Iowa) has 400 blocks flooded and downtown Des Moines, the State capitol is being evacuated now.

Normal pic link is:
http://images.ibsys.com/des/images/w...m3_640x480.jpg

DM Officials Call For Immediate Evacuations - Des Moines Weather News Story - KCCI Des Moines

Highest flood levels ever recorded and all previous flood protection for the cities is being spilled over - and many areas have been sandbagged but now run from.

Quote:

"We are seeing a historic hydrological event taking place with unprecedented river levels occurring," said Brian Pierce, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Davenport, Iowa. "We're in uncharted territory -- this is an event beyond what anybody could even imagine."

Des Moines being evacuated - CNN.com

The confluence of the Des Moines River and the Racoon Valley River is off pic to the right at the bend.

The rains have finished throughout the state but the waters are expected to peak at 8pm CST tonight - 7hrs ahead of NZ time but a day behind...

(PS - I'll get the posting of thumbnails and hosting sorted, I am hosting the pic on my website for now... no time gotta dash...)

TokWW · #2 14-Jun-2008, 08:46

Another local Des Moines link can't edit anymore...

Des Moines News, Iowa News, Weather, and Sports, Channel 8 News - KCCI Des Moines' Channel 8

TokWW · #3 14-Jun-2008, 20:35

The main link for the photos of the Cedar Rapids floods...

Flooding In Cedar Rapids - Photos - KCCI Des Moines

http://www.inmanavenue.com/CedarRapidsFlood.JPG

The story...

10,000+ Homeless In Cedar Rapids - Des Moines Weather News Story - KCCI Des Moines

Quote:

The river is expected to crest Friday at 31.8 feet. In 1993, considered the worst flood in recent history, the river was at 19.2 feet.

More than 3,900 homes in Cedar Rapids have been evacuated and part of downtown is under water from the rising Cedar River.

The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway Co. bridge fell into the river Thursday morning. About 20 hopper cars loaded with rock that was placed on the bridge in hopes of weighing it down fell into the flood waters.

There is National Guard army involvement now...

Grant · #4 14-Jun-2008, 20:38

It's pretty serious situation there. 12 feet higher than the worst flood in recent history is no laughing matter

Grant · #5 19-Jun-2008, 20:11

"The federal government said Wednesday that 20 to 30 more levees may overflow the Mississippi River from Burlington, Iowa down to St. Louis.

Twenty levees have already overflowed this week, the Army Corps of Engineers said. The other levees could overflow if sandbagging efforts fail to raise the levees' levels.

The levees in danger protect rural, industrial and agricultural areas — not heavily populated towns. The levees protecting large towns are not as at risk of overflowing, officials said."

Full Story: The Associated Press: Midwest flooding may cause more levee overflows

More Stories

Midwest farmland flooding boosts food prices | Reuters

Washington Times - Politics, Breaking News, US and World News - Katrina lessons at work in Midwest

Mississippi River Could Overtake an Estimated 27 Levees

Midwest flood woes head south - Los Angeles Times

Video

YouTube - Feds: 27 Levees Could Overflow if Sandbags Fail

Grant · #6 19-Jun-2008, 20:12

"World food prices are expected to remain at historically high levels as a result of crop losses from serious flooding in the US midwest.

The floods have devastated at least 10 per cent of the corn crop in the US state of Iowa and have had an equally devastating effect on this year's soybean harvest."

Full story: US flooding locks in record food prices - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

More Stories

USDA mulls all options on Midwest flood aid | Reuters

Midwest Floods Send Corn Prices Soaring - Science - redOrbit

Grant · #7 22-Jun-2008, 18:47

The worst Midwest flooding in 15 years eased on Saturday after the swollen Mississippi River crested in St. Louis, but the toll was still rising as billions of dollars in damage to crops, communities and infrastructure were assessed.

Emergency workers at river levees and floodwalls feared more rain could swell river levels again and complicate recovery efforts. But the skies remained mostly clear and thousands of relief workers could finally exhale.

Worst seen over for Midwest floods, cleanup starts | Reuters

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to TokWW For This Useful Post:
ATO2 (14-Jun-2008), Dollsworth (14-Jun-2008)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Grant For This Useful Post:
ATO2 (22-Jun-2008), TokWW (19-Jun-2008)

Thanks received from:
Dollsworth (14-Jun-2008)

Thanks received from:
RWood (16-Jun-2008)

Thanks received from:
TokWW (19-Jun-2008)