Four residents rescued after ice jam causes flash flooding

MOUNT AUBURN - An emergency evacuation rescued four Benton County residents trapped in their homes due to flash flooding this morning.

Rescue boats from the Benton County Sheriff's Office and the Vinton Fire Department were called to rural Mount Auburn near the Cedar River at around 10:30 a.m.

An ice jam downstream caused the flash flood. A flash flood warning has been issued for northern Benton County, until 6:15 p.m. today. Ice jams can develop and break up quickly, resulting in rapid flooding immediately upstream or downstream from the jam.

“We woke up this morning in a lake. We expect some flooding here but we didn't think it would come up extremely fast so my vehicle is out there flooded,” said rescued homeowner Renae Blasdell.

“Pretty swift current out here. It was a little bit of a risky job.  But we have ice rescue water suits so our guys can stay warm and dry,” Vinton Fire Chief Gary McKenna said.

At 12:12 p.m., local law enforcement officials reported flooding from an ice jam along the Cedar River southeast of Mount Auburn.

Water is rising quickly on a gravel road between 54th Street Drive and 55th Street, according to the National Weather Service.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office is evacuating cabins along the river by boat.

Be prepared to move to a safer location if flooding develops, officials said.