Historic Flooding

[Jeff Duda]

For the third time since 1993, parts of Iowa are experiencing record setting flooding, especially in Ames. Squaw Creek, which runs through the middle of town and very near the Iowa State University campus, just crested this morning a few inches below the all-time level set in 1993 and well above the level met in 2008. The city is literally split in half right now as so many major roads are closed that one cannot get from the east side of town to the west side of town without driving > 5 miles away from town in one direction and coming back. The S. Skunk River at Highway 30 last reported a level of 26.16 ft, which is a new all-time record high level (and it may not have crested yet). Farther upstream, the S. Skunk River at Riverside Dr. is currently 0.1 ft above the 1993 level, which was second all-time to a level set in 1996. Des Moines is also experiencing major flooding, but levels have not yet risen to record levels (if they will at all). Other parts of Iowa are also experiencing major flooding, possibly record flooding, as well.

One of many links: http://www.kcci.com/news/24591230/detail.html

 

[MatthewCarman]

I am surprised someone is just now posting about the flooding since this has been on going all year. I remember seeing flooded fields after the snow melted and then the rain came and has yet to stop. Friday/Friday night more heavy rain is expected.

Several weeks ago the Delhi Dam in eastern Iowa collapsed due to the flooding and in another town a little girl was swept into a man made tunnel. She only survived because a man hole popped up and the water pushed here out.

Just a few days ago a lake turned into a raging flood and a couple found themselves forced to get onto of their minivan. The water came up 6 feet and the couple could have died had they not made it on top of the van. For the second time this year water is expected to top the Saylorville Dam. I just recently toured Colfax and 25% of the town is flooded out. There is houses completely flooded due to the South Skunk River which is fore casted to rise another 4 feet before the heavy rains on Friday. If it rains heavily on Friday I-80 could be close to shutting down by Colfax. I also checked out the river between Newton, Monroe and Reasoner. Some of the fields near the river have become part of the river with water steadily flowing through them. The south Skunk River is at 21 feet and is fore casted to be 25 feet by Friday evening. The flood stage is at 17 feet.

To top things off the heat index has been 100+ degrees every day which is not good for the workers sandbagging right now. I saw many people at Colfax setting up sandbags and working hard in this heat is not safe. I am going to check out Lake Red Rock in a few days. My Aunt and Uncle sent a photograph of the water almost to their house in Park Hills. It was almost as high as it was in 2008. That was a few weeks ago and it has gone down some since but I will be surprised if they don't have to sandbag any time soon.

PS. Many people in Newton are dealing with flooded basements right now.

 

[John Farley]

Video of the flooding at Iowa State:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtGmOx0E5Gs&feature=player_embedded

http://www.cyclones.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?catid=0&id=718487

The second link above may be time-sensitive.

 

[MatthewCarman]

I went out today and the flooding is getting worse around the Colfax area. I drove over a gravel road west of Colfax that was almost flooded and on my way back water was spilling over the gravel road. I took a drive to Reasner and part of that town is under water. Most of the roads leading into Reasner are closed and the road from Reasner to Newton was down to one lane and will seen be closed. I feel sorry for the people there. Some people are losing everything they own. I saw many houses today that were or would soon be under water. The news said 200 houses had to be evacuated in Colfax.

To make things worse it rained most of the morning and even though it was light rain it was to much. Now heavy rain is just south of Des Moines moving north east. It looks like Colfax and Reasner could be under the gun again. They don't need any more rain. The South Skunk River is at 22 feet and the water is still rising. We need to keep the people affected by these flooding waters in our prayers right now.