City of Cedar Rapids placing HESCO barriers today for 18.6-foot flood projection overnight Monday into Tuesday

The City of Cedar Rapids Public Works Department is placing a row of sand-fill HESCO barriers today 'in low-lying areas on the west side of the river' to continue to prepare for this week's Cedar River crest, expected overnight Monday into Tuesday. The National Weather Service crest projection of 18.6 feet is three feet higher than predictions last week.

The Public Works Department also will be plugging additional storm drains and manholes and will be stationing additional pumps in the Time Check Neighborhood, Czech Village District and Kingston Village District.

In a news release Sunday, the city also stated it has closed off the underground storm sewer system to prevent water from backing up and flooding streets or businesses. The city noted that 'impacts are not anticipated to homes/businesses' and reminded residents to heed all road barricades and not drive through standing water.

For Vinton, the weather service has changed the flooding forecast from minor to moderately severe due to 'an ice jam upstream of Vinton combined with additional flow coming downstream from Waterloo.' With those factors, the weather service advised that the river is expected to crest Monday between 18.5 to possibly over 19 feet. It would be classified as major flooding at or above 19 feet.

Current road closures for Cedar Rapids:(List updated at 10 a.m. Monday)

• Edgewood Road NW fully closed to all traffic between Glass Road and River Bluff Drive

• Intersection of C Street SW and Bowling Street SW

• Ely Road closure at Old River Road

• Otis Road

• Ellis Boulevard Between Ellis Lane and 18th Street SW

• Ellis Road west of Edgewood Road

• A Street SW

• Bowling Street between A and C Street SW

• Old River Road

• First Street NW between E Avenue and Penn Avenue NW

• J Street SW

Anticipated road closures:

• C Street SW at Tate Cummins Ball Fields

Recently opened:

• Bowling Street SW from 33rd Avenue to 41st Avenue

• Hawkeye Downs Road from Sixth Street to J Street SW