Cedar River projected to reach major flood stage again in Cedar Rapids

The Cedar River is threatening to rise into major flooding for the second time this month.

The heavy rainfall experienced throughout Eastern Iowa earlier in the week has resulted in a Cedar River forecast at Cedar Rapids that is currently projected to reach major flood stage at 16.5 feet in Cedar Rapids between Monday and Tuesday of next week.

In a statement from the City of Cedar Rapids, Jen Winter, Cedar Rapids director of public works, noted that staff is monitoring the situation.

'We are going to wait to make the call on the level of protection we will enact until we see where the crest predictions land tomorrow. We can quickly build to the appropriate level of protection if needed, but we would like to make the determination based on updated river projections tomorrow.”

16 feet is considered major flood stage in Cedar Rapids, while 14 feet is considered moderate flood stage.

Although skies have been mostly clear Thursday, more rain is expected throughout the region tonight, which could adjust the scope of this river forecast.

The forecast for that crest in early September hovered around 16 feet, while the city mobilized protections to defend the city from a crest of up to 18 feet. The river's crest ended up at 15.5 feet after that round of preparation.

A river level of 18 feet is a point at which roads and parks near the river flood and the underground storm sewer system is threatened. Gates and pumps installed over the past year are designed to prevent underground storm sewer flooding, although this would be the most serious test so far.

More impactful flooding affecting homes and businesses occurs as the river rises above 20 feet.

The 2016 flood crested at 21.95 feet and the limited damage mainly was caused through the underground storm sewer system. The 2008 flood crested at 31.12 feet and caused $5.4 billion in damage and loss and impacted 1,126 city blocks.