Iowa City Officials Ask Citizens to Prepare for Impending Flooding; Dubuque Street Now Closed

From the City of Iowa City

Because of the significant rainfall received last night in the Iowa River Basin, the United States Army Corps of Engineers have revised their outflow plan for the Coralville Reservoir from releasing 12,000 cubic square feet per second (cfs) to 14,000 cfs to begin this afternoon, May 30.

Dubuque Street is closed from Park Street to Foster Road. With this closure, motorists should use the Dodge Street exit (exit 246) on Interstate 80. The entrance to Lower City Park, located off of Park Road, has been closed until further notice. Expect additional closures in the coming days.

Reservoir flows will continue to increase over the next several days. With additional rain in the local forecast, more streets and neighborhoods will be impacted by rising waters. Outflows from the Coralville Reservoir will increase to 17,000 cfs on May 31 and will continue to rise daily until the projected peak on Sunday, June 9 at 22,500 cfs. Flows are expected to remain above 20,000 cfs at least until June 13. Projections are based on 24-hour rainfall forecast and will change based on additional precipitation totals. Residents and businesses in flood prone areas along the Iowa River should prepare for possible flooding. Mandatory evacuations have not been issued to date, but may be issued in the coming days or weeks based on the changing flooding conditions in neighborhoods. Mayor Matt Hayek has signed a Declaration of Civil Emergency. A copy of the declaration can be viewed at www.icgov.org/flood under "Official documents." 

Bus service alternate route
Manville Heights bus service will continue, but is running an alternate route. It will run its normal route until arriving on Park Road, at which time it will turn around in Upper City Park and return downtown. The Peninsula and Forrest View mobile home areas will be serviced with a shuttle bus running hourly service. The route will travel between the Peninsula Neighborhood and the VA Hospital Loop located on Newton Road. The bus will depart from the following stops from6:50 a.m. - 10:15 p.m.:

VA Loop :50
Foster Rd. and Laura Drive :05
Swisher and Foster Rd. :10
Forrest View :15

Please call 319-356-5151 for additional transit information.

Sandbag distribution
The City of Iowa City has commenced an active sandbag operation for this flood event. To volunteer or access sandbags please contact the United Way at 319-337-8657 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-866-469-2211 after 8 p.m. All inquiries and requests regarding sandbag operations are being coordinated through the United Way. The primary objective for the City's sandbag operation is to provide for the protection of critical public infrastructure and transportation routes in the community. Sandbags will be made available for the purpose of protecting private property if such supplies exist beyond those needed for the protection of critical public infrastructure and transportation routes. If the City determines it has an excess supply of sandbags and the resources to deliver such sandbags, then accommodations will be made. In these cases the City cannot guarantee delivery to specific addresses, but rather will consider strategic locations that can be accessed by multiple people on a first-come first-served basis. 

Disaster call center and emergency volunteer center
United Way of Johnson County has activated its emergency volunteer center and disaster call center. The disaster call center is available for those in need of flood-related information or assistance, including requesting volunteer assistance. The disaster call center is available 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at 319-337-8657. For questions after-hours, United Way 2-1-1 is available 24/7. United Way 2-1-1 is a regional health and human service information and referral line, which can be reached by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-866-469-2211. 

The emergency volunteer center coordinates individuals and groups that want to volunteer to help with flood preparedness or clean-up. The center, which will be staffed 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, is located in Montgomery Hall at the Johnson County Fairgrounds, 4265 Oak Crest Hill Rd SE, Iowa City. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to come to the center to sign up. More information is available by calling 319-337-8657. Both centers are provided by United Way of Johnson County to free up the critical city staff so that they can meet disaster-related emergencies and required public services.

Iowa City officials will continue to closely monitor Iowa River and area creek levels. The City has created a web page to keep citizens updated with the latest flood-related information and provide additional resources. To stay up-to-date on the latest news, visit http://www.icgov.org/flood and follow the City of Iowa City on Twitter https://twitter.com/cityofiowacity or Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/The-City-of-Iowa-City-Government/267660140000321.