City crews prepare for Cedar River's highest crest since 2008

As the city prepares for the Cedar River's highest crest since the June 2008 flood, officials want to reassure some anxious residents.

“It is very understandable that citizens would have some anxiety and some heightened awareness of flood issues,” Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said Thursday afternoon. “We are not that far removed from what we saw in 2008.”

But those charged with preparing for and reacting to high water learned from that disaster as they prepare to handle a crest higher than what's expected.

“A large number of hours we've been preparing for this,” said Acting Fire Chief Mark English.

“That should be easily manageable early next week, without any issues,” said Craig Hanson, the city's public works maintenance manager.

As the officials spoke Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service was predicting a crest about 16 feet next Thursday, based on rainfall expected in the watershed over the next 24 hours. That's four feet over flood stage, but nowhere near June 13, 2008's monstrous 31.2 feet.

To be ready for next week's crest, crews will place lengths of culvert over manhole covers and storm-sewer drains this weekend to prevent the river backing up the sewer into low-lying neighborhoods. More than 17,000 sandbags are ready, and crews are ready to fill more.

Improved storm sewer outlets, some with one-way valves to block backflow, have been installed since 2008, Hanson said.

“You won't see property damage, or you shouldn't,” he said.

Hanson said the best flood preparation is for residents of low-lying neighborhoods to sign up for federal flood insurance by April 5, when rates will jump by up to 400 percent.

Ellis Road NW was closed after an ice jam sent the river to 9.82 feet Wednesday night before breaking free and floating downriver, allowing the road to be reopened early Thursday. Motorists can expect Ellis Road and Otis Road SE to be closed this weekend as the rise continues. Manhattan-Robbins Lake Park, Fish Court SW, and city boat ramps will remain closed until the river drops below 13 feet after its crest.

Police Chief Greg Graham said patrolmen are giving some extra attention to riverfront neighborhoods. He asked sightseers to stay well away from the river, “and if you see anything unusual, or if you see people where they shouldn't be, we encourage you to call us.”

The rise shouldn't effect next week's St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's parades, Graham said.

Tom Philip, meteorologist at the weather service's Davenport office, said rainfall along the Cedar watershed hasn't been as heavy as predicted earlier this week. The area could see up to 0.3 inch today and Saturday.

“Nothing too dramatic, nothing too heavy,” Philip said. “After that it kind of dries out for much of the upcoming week.”

Area residents can stay abreast of flood preparations and street closings at the city's Web site, www.cedar-rapids.org. Emergency announcements, if any, will be broadcast at 600 AM and 96.5 FM.

Watch the press conference: