Thirty miles of I-80 in Cedar County have been closed in both directions

[Skidmore]

and a levee just broke in Cedar Rapids. It is raining and has through the night. Bands of heavy rain broken by periods of light drizzle, but every drop adds more heartbreak here in Iowa. More neighborhoods are being evacuated in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. There is a long list of closures for the most basic of services and facilities, including medical. Johnson County moved its animal shelter. Linn County has been making decisions about what to do with 400 prisoners in its care. Even the courts are closed, both county and federal.


Nine rivers in Iowa are well above flood stage and the levels set by the Flood of 1993.

Edited to note that this floodwater is a noxious soup of everything imaginable from chemicals to sewage and is full of debris. Some communities have lost potable water and others have their wastewater systems breaking down. People have been in those areas to boil water and to avoid using too much by not flushing toilets, doing laundry, or other intense water usage activities.

[groovedaddy]

1. Let's hope you get more help than New Orleans did! n.t

[ensho]

2. not good news at all - hang in there - keep giving us updates, please

nt

[Blue Diadem]

3. I'm watching it right now on msnbc

Stay safe Skidmore.

[liberal N proud]

4. If we hadn't changed plans I would be driving through there tomorrow

We were to drive out to my parents in Iowa this week and have changed our plans.

Keep safe out there and we are thinking about you.

[Skidmore]

5. Civil defense notices have gone out that they are actually moving shelters

in Cedar Rapids further away from the flooded area and are expecting it to get worse.

The wind is high here. I'm more worried about what can come from the sky than the water on the ground right now. These storms have been extremely violent and the lightning has been scary. Not a good time to be sitting on an ocean of water when the sky is blazing around you.

[ensho]

6. I'm a total coward about lightning - wishing you well

thunder I don't mind. cover my eyes so I can't see the flash. yes, I admit it.

[cyberswede]

7. Iowa River to beat record flood by 25% in IC

They're predicting the Iowa River in Iowa City/Coralville to flood at levels 25% above the record floods set in 1993.
Unbelievable!

[Skidmore]

8. And it hasn't crested yet.

It is positively pouring right now.

They just announced on the local channel 9 that they moved prisoners from the CR County Jail and that their police department has relocated to the city's ice skating rink.

[ensho]

10. 25% is a lot! people must be fleeing

nt

[City Lights]

9. Thanks for the info, Skidmore.

My in-laws are heading west on I-80 as I type. They're still in IL, just approaching the Mississippi. My husband just called them to let them know what to expect.

Do you have any re-route suggestions for them to avoid traffic/making it worse?

We're wondering whether we should recommend that they stay put for a day or so.

edited for typo

[Skidmore]

11. If I'm recalling correctly, the reporter was saying something about

rerouting to hwy 38.

Here's KCRG's flood watch site:

http://www.kcrg.com/floodwatch

There's a section on road closures with links to DOT. There are now 54 counties affected by this flood and all travel is prohibited in some of them.

Lucky us...they just announced Chertoff will be arriving today. Now we're really in trouble.

[City Lights]

13. Thanks for the info and link!

Most appreciated.

[Skidmore]

14. Here's a Press-Citizen link to an article about the closing...

http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080612/NEWS01/80612003

The reroute is to 38 then to 30 and to I-380. However, closure of I-380 from 30 north to County Home Road in CR was just announced on Channel 9. I don't know how that intersection will be affected. This water is rising at the rate of 3-6 inches an hour.

[City Lights]

15. My husband is on the phone with them again right now.

Thanks so much for providing so much helpful information, Skidmore. :hug:

[ensho]

16. maybe he will turn moldy while there

nt

[Skidmore]

18. Maybe we need to invite him to go swimming.

We've got a really big pool.

[Delphinus]

38. Haha!

It's good to have some levity in here - thanks! I'm glad you are keeping your sense of humor.

Please be safe; this is a very scary situation.

[Skidmore]

12. I-380 has been closed between County Home Road and Hwy 30

to all but emergency vehicles--that is the entire length of highway through Cedar Rapids from north to south. Traffic re routed to Hwy 13.

[Skidmore]

17. If you are familiar with the Cedar Rapids area, the railroad bridge

has been covered entirely (older type metal trussle bridge) and the I-380 overpass is partially underwater (the ramps and partially up the slopes on both sides). That overpass is a good sized one.

We are going to get 3-4 more inches of rain yet today in addition to what we have received thus far.

[liberal N proud]

21. WOW!

That is all I can say.

Stay away from the water.

[jakefrep]

19. Sounds like my friends got out just in time

A friend of mine teaches at Prairie HS. He and his wife left Tuesday to visit her parents in Germany.

[Skidmore]

20. Iowa City is preparing for major inundation as the flooding moves downstream.

Mosquito Flats area is under mandatory evacuation orders now.

[Skidmore]

22. The local Ch. 9 video is incredible. The bridges look like they

are floating on the water. That railroad bridge had been weighted down with 20 cars to keep it from floating away. Cars and bridge are underwater.

Palo was evacutated and is the location of Iowa's nuclear power plant. Vinton is still without power and is expected to be so for several more days.

River at Iowa City will not crest until next Tuesday and is expected to do so at 33 feet (28 was the crest reached during 1993).

[defendandprotect]

26. The things we have to think about now . . . !!!

Weighing down bridges with cars to keep them from floating away . . !!

The local Ch. 9 video is incredible. The bridges look like they
are floating on the water. That railroad bridge had been weighted down with 20 cars to keep it from floating away. Cars and bridge are underwater.

Palo was evacutated and is the location of Iowa's nuclear power plant. Vinton is still without power and is expected to be so for several more days.

River at Iowa City will not crest until next Tuesday and is expected to do so at 33 feet (28 was the crest reached during 1993).

I certainly had questions about nuclear reactors but was concerned about raising
the question and perhaps new fears --- but it takes something like six months
to actually properly shut down a nuclear reactor. And usually there are "waste"
sits somewhere near the property?


This is the latest coverage I'm seeing --

BRIDGE COLLAPSE ... a railroad bridge has gone into the water ... south of 8th Ave SE bridge ...
22.38' --- expected to go higher -- "500 year event" . . .
LEVEE TROUBLES COMING
Still 2" more expected in next two days

[Skidmore]

29. Iowa City is frantically trying to shore up the sandbag levees which they built

to 30'. The additional rainfall has ensured the 33' level crest coming up.

Note: First Ave. bridge in CR is now underwater. Video is amazing. If you didn't know it was there, you would think you were looking at a lake.

[uppityperson]

46. Is this this bridge which collapsed? What a mess.

http://www.kcrg.com/floodwatch/coverage/19838619.html
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – June 12, 2008 – The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway (CRANDIC) bridge spanning the Cedar River collapsed at 9:43 a.m. on Thursday, June 12. Three of the bridges four steel spans were swept into the river along with 15 CRANDIC rail cars loaded with rock. No injuries were associated with the collapse.

The 793 ft. bridge, built in 1903, was used daily to connect CRANDIC with other railroads and local industries. The bridge handled approximately 20,000 carloads per year.

Damage will be assessed as the water recedes, and plans to rebuild are under evaluation. CRANDIC will work with other rail carriers to meet customer needs in the days and weeks ahead.

[Tashca]

68. Just talked to my neighbor

He works with EMS and was heading down into Cedar Rapids for the night.....Mostly for rescues.
He said this railroad bridge that collapsed with all the rail cars was causing some backup of the water......they are debating on dynamiting another bridge to relieve the pressure. They said the infrastructure downtown was failing quickly. He was very worked up....understandibaly

[Skidmore]

23. Water has risen at least 2 feet in last how per Channel 9. Rescues suspended on water

because of the lightning in the current storm.

[Skidmore]

24. Ch 9 reports that the building they are in on 5th Ave is in danger of flooding.

I have to hand it to these anchors that they have been broadcasting on backup power for hours.

[jberryhill]

25. I hope Bush sends you a postcard from Europe

Instead of staying in Iowa, you should have planned a vacation to Europe.

There might be some last minute fares available.

See you there!

[orleans]

27. kicking. stay safe. n/t

[Skidmore]

28. Ch 9 reporting that they have no power or water and sewage is

backing up into the parking area under their building.

Some discussion of whether or not the Crandic Railroad Bridge with the 20 cars on it is backing up the water and contributing to the high water levels.

Left lanes of I-380 have been opened so that emergency traffic can make it to the hospital and people can make it to shelters which have been moved further back.

[City Lights]

30. Stay safe, Skidmore.

Hope you're holding up alright through this. :hug:

[uppityperson]

31. Best of luck there, thanks for the info.

[Echo In Light]

32. It's wavered back and forth. Right lane is now open

[Skidmore]

33. Well, jeez. We now have a tornado watch in addition to a flood warning and

a flash flood warning.

One of the local hospitals has announced that it ran out of tetanus vaccinations.

Downtown Cedar Rapids is underwater with water 4 ft. up on the first floor level of businesses. Video shots showed refrigerator, dresser drawers, and couch cushions floating away from a local furniture store. The fire department downtown is flooded.

[Echo In Light]

34. Downtown - and beyond - is completely submerged

[Skidmore]

35. I understand that now all bridges are submerged except for I-380. U of Iowa downstream

is cancelling classes for next week and has prepared a 30 hour evacuation plan. Many campus buildings along the river are expected to have flooding. My husband has been helping to keep the electrical substations pumped out. They have put in a substantial amount of time into securing the Art Museum and research labs.

[Echo In Light]

36. Yeah..my work was canceled, people haven't seen anything like this around here...

...especially with two killer twisters only a week or so apart. The major floods of 93 didn't even come close to this devastation. Lots of scared, sad people today. Bad vibes all around. Here's hoping things turn a corner soon...

[Skidmore]

37. I don't understand why this flood isn't getting the same coverage that the one in 1993 did.

It is is far worse. The cable channels don't appear to be devoting much time to it. Maybe were burned out on disaster as a nation.

[MaryEllen71]

40. don't you know

that Paris Hilton and Brangelina's pregnancy are more important? :sarcasm:

[seemslikeadream]

43. I'm thinking of you Echo

[Echo In Light]

45. Thanks!

[Skidmore]

39. Flooding in Marion at 10th St. on the Indian Creek.

Echo, are you affected in your area?

[Echo In Light]

41. After having a sump pump put in last yr, thankfully not so bad

Although we're not far from CR at all.

[Skidmore]

42. I hear you. Our sump pump has been running nonstop for

the last two weeks. I hope we are successful in keeping electricity or we'll have serious problems.

[Echo In Light]

44. Exactly. Given that wave after wave of storms hit, if the power goes I'll be loading drum kits...

...up and out very quickly.

[bullwinkle428]

47. Wait - the report I have says it will close tomorrow, and it remains

open for the present time...

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) is making preparations to close the east- and westbound lanes of Interstate 80 in eastern Iowa.

Flood waters are expected to overtop the east- and westbound lanes of Interstate 80 at milepost 266 in Cedar County, just west of the Iowa 38 interchange (exit 267).

The closure is tentatively scheduled for Friday afternoon. The roadway is expected to remain closed for approximately two to three days. The closure is flooding related.

http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080612/NEWS01/80612003

I live in North Liberty, and am currently in Muscatine, so I'm keeping a very close eye on routes across the Cedar River right now!

[Skidmore]

48. It was announced on Channel 9 earlier today that it was indeed

closed. They may have reopened it by now but I don't know. Check the press citizen article I posted above. There was much information in it and some of it had been updated.

[Skidmore]

49. Folks, this is so depressing.

In Iowa County, there is not one road that hasn't been closed.

In Cedar Rapids, the amount of flooding in the downtown is devastating. The city's fire department, police department, and public library are all flooded as well as numerous businesses. They are still trying to get people out of homes in the older neighborhoods near the downtown area. Some of the elderly have been reluctant to leave their homes. Ch. 9 is reporting that some of these homes are damaged and there have apparently been a few which have collapsed.

In Iowa City, mandatory evacuations have been ordered for a neighborhood south of Hwy 1 and the commercial park there. We know owners of two businesses in that area, one of whom will probably never recover from this and will lose her livelihood. Iowa City has been warned that though a 33 foot crest has been predicted, the continuing rains in the area will likely lead to a 38 foot cresting to come on Tuesday.

I have seen announcements for many smaller towns to conserve water usage so as not to stress the wastewater systems. People with private wells on the flood plain in Linn County have been asked to boil their water before using it.

The night will be upon us soon and there are still storms blowing up in the area.

[Skidmore]

50. Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Robins have been asked to limit consumption of

water to drinking and cooking. Extreme limits to consumption of water. They are losing power to pump water from their well fields.

[Skidmore]

51. Mandatory curfews for all communities affected by flooding tonight.

[Skidmore]

52. Cedar River expected to crest at 32' tomorrow, 3.5' above forcasted 28.5' and a record.

This is 12' higher than 1993--also a record.

[malaise]

53. Please stay safe

:grouphug: I don't want to think about the mosquitoes after these floods.

[Skidmore]

54. We have a severe thunderstorm on the way in about the next 15 minutes.

All wind just stopped. Not a leaf moving. I don't like it.

[Skidmore]

55. The heavens just opened and someone just dumped a giant

bucket on us. Now the wind is picking up. No lightning yet.

It's going to be a long night.

[Tashca]

56. Thank you for keeping up on this.

I am in Hiawatha and trying to keep up cleaning my basement from this morning's deluge. We are on higher ground than most. The river is so high that the storm sewers couldn't take the rain away fast enough this morning. It ran up into the basements in the area from these backed up storm sewers.
We are so much luckier than most.
I can't even describe how devastating this is......I ran after supplies this morning to clean up the mess from the north side of Cedar Rapids......it took my 5 hours to get back home because of the I-380 closing. I couldn't believe my eyes when I crossed the interstate bridge and looked down over Cedar Rapids.....I could see no bridges....just rushing water. We are so far over predictions it isn't even funny.
I spent the last two day sandbagging in Palo....to no avail. We has a call from a friend looking for a boat to get him and his wife out.....long story....but I'll just say....dumb ass!!
I will go down below Iowa City and help sandbag next week. I'm afraid Iowa City is in for a major disaster in a very short time.
So far our water is still on....and of course electricity. They have shut down one power plant and are about to shut down a second.....some people are going to be without electicity...not for hours, but days and maybe weeks.
Breaking!!...I just heard the crest is going to be 32 feet.....the record was just over 20 feet in 1929. They still aren't even sure if that is going to be the top end. I can't even believe this.
Iowa City.....get ready...

[Skidmore]

57. There is a storm moving your way right now with the potential for large hail

and damaging winds. Take some shelter now and post after it passes. Joe Winters just announced the warning.

Take care of yourself now.

[Tashca]

58. Fuck it!!

It's hailing right now!!!!
I am so sick of this......I don't even know what the hell to say............

[Skidmore]

60. I know what you mean. It's getting old.

Just take care of you and yours right now.

It looks as though more storms will be coming tonight. Mt. Pleasant area is getting storms now too.

[Marrah_G]

62. Please be careful

My thoughts are with all of you tonight.

Just stay safe.

[Skidmore]

63. Thanks, Marrah_G.

This water is so devastating and powerful. It will take quite a while for the area to recover. If the storms will stop for a while, we can start to salvage. We've only had a day or two respite in the past couple of weeks.

[Skidmore]

59. Mt. Pleasant/Henry County area has a severe storm moving through.

Potential for a tornado.

[Skidmore]

61. Current weather alerts for area.

Severe Weather Bulletin
Click here to get additional current severe weather information
This is a severe weather alert from the KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather Lab:
05:59 PM CDT Thu-Jun-12
The Weather Service has issued a TORNADO WARNING effective until 06:30 PM CDT
Iowa counties
HENRY, JEFFERSON
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING effective until 06:45 PM CDT
Iowa counties
BENTON, BUCHANAN, DELAWARE, IOWA, JOHNSON, JONES, LINN

These bulletins are currently in effect for your area:
Illinois counties
JO DAVIESS
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
Iowa counties
ALLAMAKEE
FLOOD WARNING
BENTON
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 06:45 PM CDT
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
BLACK HAWK
FLOOD WARNING
BREMER
FLOOD WARNING
BUCHANAN
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 06:45 PM CDT
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
BUTLER
FLOOD WARNING
CEDAR
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
CLAYTON
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
CLINTON
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
DAVIS
TORNADO WARNING until 06:30 PM CDT
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
DELAWARE
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 06:45 PM CDT
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
DUBUQUE
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
FLOYD
FLOOD WARNING
FRANKLIN
FLOOD WARNING
GRUNDY
FLOOD WARNING
HARDIN
FLOOD WARNING
HENRY
TORNADO WARNING until 06:30 PM CDT
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
IOWA
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 06:45 PM CDT
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
JACKSON
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
JEFFERSON
TORNADO WARNING until 06:30 PM CDT
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 06:15 PM CDT
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
JOHNSON
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 06:45 PM CDT
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
JONES
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 06:45 PM CDT
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
KEOKUK
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 06:15 PM CDT
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
LINN
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 06:45 PM CDT
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
LOUISA
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
MAHASKA
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
MARSHALL
FLOOD WARNING
MUSCATINE
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
SCOTT
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
TAMA
FLOOD WARNING
WAPELLO
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
WASHINGTON
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
Wisconsin counties
CRAWFORD
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
GRANT
FLASH FLOOD WARNING until 06:15 PM CDT
TORNADO WATCH
FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WATCH

[bullwinkle428]

64. Cedar Rapids looks EXACTLY like New Orleans after Katrina -

it's completely mind-numbing in its devastation... :cry:

[Skidmore]

66. Yes, it does and Iowa City will look like that also and maybe worse

since the crest will be a lot higher than anything anticipated.

[knitter4democracy]

65. Crap. I helped do flood cleanup in St. Louis in 93. That was bad.

Really bad. Miles from the river, and the guy's house's flood mark was over 8' high. This is worse?!

It's time to evacuate, move people to higher ground, get FEMA in there--oh, wait, I forgot. :banghead:

[bullwinkle428]

67. UPDATE : I-80 will be closed at 8:00 tonight (26 mile section)

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080612/NEWS/157313992/1001/NEWS

[cascadiance]

69. Those living west of the river in Iowa City stay on the west side... Likewise for the East side!

It may get to the point where the only place to cross the river is highway 80, and even that might close. At least it is already closed east of Iowa City so you don't have much through traffic now as I understand...