Cedar River crest down to 14.2 feet in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar River is predicted to reach moderate flood stage - but barely - by Saturday evening in Cedar Rapids.

The river will crest at 14.2 feet about 6 p.m., according to a forecast Friday by the National Weather Service - about a half foot higher than the Cedar was Friday morning. Moderate flood stage begins at 14 feet.

The forecast calls for the river to dip below any flood stage classification at 10 feet by Tuesday afternoon, and to continue receding to about 7 feet.

The city built protections up to the 18-foot level, which includes plugging the storm sewer system, deploying pumps, sealing manhole covers and closing roads in low-lying areas.

The weather service continues to put Cedar Rapids under a flood warning until Tuesday morning.

The city announced Friday afternoon that it would be reopening two previously closed streets: Penn Avenue NW from 1st Street to Ellis Boulevard and 1st Street NW from Penn Ave to O Ave.

The following streets remain closed according to the city release:

' 2nd Street NW from K Ave to L Ave

' 3rd Street NW from F Avenue to I Avenue

' A Street SW from C Street to National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library

' A Street SW from 17th Street to Compost Facility

' Bowling Street SW from C Street to A Street

' Otis Road SE from Cargill to Prairie Park Fishery