Flood Alert

Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids have jointly issued a flood alert for properties located along the Cedar River.  According to the county, the river will experience a record flood crest on Wednesday afternoon or evening at about 21.5 feet.  Previous crests in 1929 at 20 feet, in 1961 at 19.6 feet, and 1993 at 19.3 feet may be eclipsed by this flood. 

Emergency contingency plans should be put in place in anticipation of the high water for all properties located along the Cedar River.  Edgewood Road SW will be closed later this evening.  The trail through the downtown area will also be closed.  Flood barriers will be erected along the river behind Smulekoff’s.  Time Check homes may be affected as will the city of Palo.  Sewer backups can be expected elsewhere.   

Shelters will be open at the following locations:  Red Cross, 6300 Rockwell Dr NE; Roosevelt School, 300 13^th St NW; and Zion Lutheran Church, 201 1^st Ave, Hiawatha.  One to three additional inches of rain is expected between Wednesday and Friday of this week.  

The city of Cedar Rapids, Linn County, and the Linn County Emergency Management Agency are working together to address the seriousness of this threat.  Please take all necessary precautions.

 Lee Clancey
President & CEO

This press release is copied from a press release sent to us from the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.