116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Friday’s storm not likely to worsen Cedar River flooding, but rain Sunday may raise crest predictions
Early predictions show an additional inch of rain Sunday
Friday’s rain likely won’t worsen flooding in Eastern Iowa rivers because it was factored into flood warnings, the National Weather Service reported, but meteorologists will be watching the forecast for more rain on Sunday to see if that changes predicted river crests.
“Looks like it will be over an inch, so that potentially could either have the crest higher or delay the crest, depending on the amount that falls,” said John Haase, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Quad Cities bureau.
The Cedar River at Cedar Rapids is expected to crest at 13.3 feet early Sunday, the NWS reported Thursday. But the city of Cedar Rapids is preparing for a potential 15-foot crest — three feet above minor flood stage.
City staff will be working round the clock through Monday to manage water pumps and monitor traffic control where there are road closures, Cedar Rapids reported Friday afternoon.
Crews will place sandbags in a few locations to protect infrastructure, but “there is no need for the public to be concerned if they see employees doing this work,” the city reported.
Cedar Rapids knows the drill. The Cedar River crested at just below 18 feet in 2018. The crest in 2016 was around 22 feet — 10 feet above flood stage, but well below the record 31.12 feet in 2008.
Other flood warnings in effect include:
- 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.
Hasse said the storm that brought tornado warnings to Eastern Iowa Friday morning was included in flooding predictions, but Thursday was too early to have an accurate forecast for Sunday.
“It’s hard to tell how much rain will actually fall when you’re talking three days away,” he said. “As we get into tomorrow (Saturday) that should take into account some of the rain on Sunday, which, right now, looks like it will be over an inch.”
The NWS will provide updated flood warnings if meteorologists believe the crest height or timeline is changed.
In Iowa County, which has been under a flood warning since Tuesday, several roads near the Iowa River are covered with water. Highway 21 also is closed in the northwest part of the county, Emergency Management Agency coordinator Josh Humphrey said.
Iowa City residents may have seen the Iowa River water level rise as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers temporarily increased outflow at the Coralville Lake Thursday. The lake’s primary purpose is to control the flow of water to reduce flooding.
The increased outflow has temporarily closed the Iowa River Trail at the Highway 6 underpass, located just south of Riverfront Crossings Park. The Peninsula Disc Golf course is open for use, but is currently impacted by the increased outflows on two low-lying holes.
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