Cedar Rapids loans sandbag machine to Davenport

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – March 18, 2011 – This week is National Flood Safety Awareness Week. Flooding is a coast to coast threat to the United States and its territories in all months of the year. National Flood Safety Awareness Week is intended to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what you can do to save life and property.

Turn Around Don't Drown – It is the most significant item that drivers can remember during heavy rain or flooding. The depth and speed of the flow is generally not known until it is too late with sometimes tragic results.

Cedar Rapids Status: The forecast is significantly less likely in Cedar Rapids this spring compared to 2010. The March 7, 2011 hydrologic forecast of a major stage flood was 22% compared to 45% in 2010. The annual preparations are in full progress:

• Flood Manual updated.

• Enough filled sandbags for a 16 feet major stage flood are in storage along with over 100,000 empty bags.

• Sandbag making equipment tested.

• Storm pipe plugs pressure tested.

• Pumps to reduce street flooding test started.

• Evacuation procedures reviewed.

• Training of staff is being conducted.

Davenport Support: The City of Davenport, Iowa has a much different forecast with a 95% probability of a major stage flood. They are preparing for flooding now. To support them, one of the two sandbag making machine setups of Cedar Rapids was loaned to Davenport. Training was conducted on the setup and operation on Wednesday. Attached are pictures of the equipment leaving Cedar Rapids and of the setup in Davenport.