Saturday, June 14, 2008

Flood Updates V, 6-14-08

As of this morning, it seems as if the situation in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids is easing a bit- the Cedar River crested yesterday and is dropping quicker than officials thought it would. In Des Moines, the evacuation of Birdland is complete, but so far, levees appear to be doing their jobs.

Iowa City and Coralville are the focus of the flooding today. Workers are desperately trying to sandbag on the east side of the U of I (where the Main Library, Adler, Becker, the EPB are) and all bridges within the city are closed- but I-80 is expected to hold- the Iowa River is expected to crest Monday.

But, the latest from Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. More later.

**HELP IN DES MOINES: If you want to help in Des Moines, here's what The Register has.

**UPDATES: From Iowa City, the Burlington St. bridge has held for now (so one city bridge and I-80 are the only routes from the east side to the west side of town) There's also a list of updated information, here.

Latest Pictures from Iowa City, here.

This is AWESOME news! The Obama Campaign is turning its attention to flood relief in Iowa, mobilizing volunteers and the like, here.

There's also a curfew in place for Johnson County- the Coralville Marriot is being evacuated and the crest is coming on Tuesday. Updates from the Cedar Rapids Gazette, here.

**UPDATE, 5:03 PM: Severe thunderstorms moving through Johnson County have forced sandbaggers to suspend operations and clear out of downtown Iowa City- civil defense sirens were sounded at 4.30 PM or so and per the Weather Channel, the warning has now expired, but I'm sure the extra water didn't help matters any.

As always, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines updates. UI Flood Information updates here as well.

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