River still expected to hit major flood stage Tuesday

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar River still is expected to reach major flood stage this week, with the expected crest increasing slightly Sunday, to 17.5 feet.

As of Sunday evening, the National Weather Service was predicting the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids would crest at 17.5 feet at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

That is up only slightly from a Saturday projection of 17.4 feet. Major flood stage for the river in Cedar Rapids is 16 feet.

The river is expected to eclipse 16 feet tonight, before receding to below major flood stage late Wednesday.

Following a previous flooding scare in early September, the city mobilized protections for the river reaching 18 feet.

According to a news release Friday, the city still has protection measures in place for floodwater up to 16 feet, which includes installing plugs in the underground storm sewer system and stationing pumps to be used as needed.

Underground plugs prevent water from backing up into the storm sewer system and flooding roadways, according to the release.

The city said workers can quickly build protection up to 18 feet if needed, which includes some aboveground measures such as installing sand barriers in low-lying areas.