116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
After days of heavy rain, flood warnings issued for Eastern Iowa rivers
Cedar Rapids announces road, trail, park closures
Heavy rain this week has led to flood warnings for portions of Eastern Iowa heading into the weekend. In Cedar Rapids, the rising river level is prompting the city to put precautionary measures in place.
The National Weather Service Quad Cities bureau issued a number of flood warnings for Eastern Iowa on Thursday. Many of them last into Sunday:
- Cedar River at Cedar Rapids: The river is expected to rise above flood stage of 12 feet, and crest at 13.3 feet early Sunday morning. It will fall below flood stage early Monday morning.
- Cedar River at Palo/Blairs Ferry Road: The river is expected to rise above flood stage of 12.5 feet, cresting at 13 feet early Saturday afternoon. It will fall below flood stage late Sunday morning.
- Wapsipinicon River near Anamosa/Shaw Road: The river is expected to rise above flood stage of 14.5 feet, cresting at 15.5 feet early Saturday. It will fall below flood stage Sunday afternoon.
- Iowa River at Marengo: The river is expected to crest at 18.5 feet Monday morning. Flood stage is 15 feet.
- Cedar River affecting Cedar County: The river is expected to rise above flood stage of 12 feet, cresting at 13.3 feet early Sunday morning. It will fall below flood stage early Monday morning.
- Cedar River near Conesville: The river is expected to rise above flood stage of 13 feet, cresting at 14.7 feet early Monday morning. It will fall below flood stage Wednesday afternoon.
Flood warnings continue for the Iowa River in Marshalltown and Tama County, and the Cedar River in Waterloo and Cedar Falls.
“Area rivers are experiencing flooding or will see flooding in the coming days,” the weather service statement says.
The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas of Eastern Iowa have received 2 to 3 inches of rain over the past week, while portions of Marshall and Tama counties have received upward of 6 inches.
More rain was expected to fall Friday, with the storm anticipated to reach Eastern Iowa by 10 a.m. New rainfall amounts could be between 1 and 2 inches. Some of the storms could produce winds of up to 60 mph, hail and a possible tornado.
The chance of rain will continue Sunday and Monday.
Cedar Rapids flood precautions
The city of Cedar Rapids announced Thursday it is taking flood precautions, preparing for a potential 14-foot crest of the Cedar River. Minor flood stage is 12 feet.
Cedar Rapids public works staff will provide 24-hour coverage to operate pumps as rain begins Friday morning.
The city also will close portions of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Prairie Park Fishery Trail, and Sac and Fox Trail. Cheyenne Dog Park, 1650 Cedar Bend Lane SW, and portions of Seminole Valley Park, 5925 Seminole Valley Trail. NE, also will be closed.
Park facilities in flood-prone areas will continue to be monitored for any additional closures.
Some roads also will be closed:
- Otis Road SE
- A Street SW
- First Street, from O Avenue to Penn NW
Updated road closure information will be posted to the city’s website: www.cedar-rapids.org.
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