JoCo Flooding News Summary: Major River Flooding Still Expected; Creek and Stream Levels Decreasing

From Johnson County

Johnson County officials met today at the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC), 4529 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City, to discuss flood preparations.

In a press conference following the meeting, Johnson County Emergency Management Association Public Information Officer Terrence Neuzil indicated that although less than anticipated rainfall on Thursday reduced the projected impact, the area was still expected to sustain major flooding.  

Neuzil said that Jim Stiman from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reported that the outflow from the Coralville Reservoir will increase to 17,000 cubic feet per second today.  The Corps will continue to increase the outflow, reaching 20,000 cfs on June 4. USACE estimates that water levels will hit the spillway of the Coralville Reservoir—which is at an elevation of 712 feet—on June 4.  Due to the less-than-forecasted rainfall, the projected peak elevation on June 8 reduced from 713.5 feet to 712.1 feet.  The projected numbers are based on current forecasts and will change depending on weather conditions.

Inflows to the Reservoir, particularly from upstream in locations like Marengo, are anticipated to reach 37,000 cfs by June 2.  While this is below the previous projection of 40,000 cfs, overflow of the Reservoir spillway remains likely.  

Residents interested in learning about the impact of the Reservoir’s outflow are encouraged to use the interactive online mapping tool developed by the Iowa Flood Center.  

The tool is located at http://ifis.iowafloodcenter.org/ifis/en/ and  is a one-stop web-platform to access community-based flood conditions, forecasts, visualizations, inundation maps and flood-related data, information, and applications.  After opening this link, users should go to Flood Maps and then to Flood Map Libraries for Iowa Communities.  Click on the Iowa City icon and "dial up" the stage that corresponds to a desired outflow.

Officials from the United State Geological Survey (USGS) said that Thursday’s rainfall resulted in increased stream flows but that most creeks, including Clear Creek and Old Mans Creek, were receding or will be coming down this afternoon.    Rapid Creek is up but does not involve a significant amount of water.  The USGS will also do measurements at Cedar Bluff and should have data regarding the Cedar River later today.  

The City of Coralville is completing protection of the south bank of Clear Creek and will be working on the north side today.  The City of Coralville has called for volunteers to assist with those efforts.

Iowa City Public Works Director Rick Fosse reported that Dubuque Street was closed on Thursday afternoon and water has reached the 800 block of Normandy Drive.  City staff has gone door to door in areas affected by the floods in 2008 to ask residents to prepare for evacuation.  

The University of Iowa continues efforts to protect Mayflower Hall, the Art Building West and Advanced Technology Laboratory.  The Hospitals and Clinics have moved the Mothers Milk Bank and Clinical Outreach from Liberty Square in Coralville to alternate locations.

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors met on Thursday afternoon and approved a resolution proclaiming a civil emergency.  Subsequently, Johnson County ordered mandatory evacuations on River Front Estates NE off of Steward Road and the Izaak Walton area south of Iowa City.

Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek indicated that he would be utilizing his statutory authority to close the Iowa River south of the Coralville Reservoir to all water activities.  No water crafts or swimming will be allowed.  

The United Way of Johnson County has activated its emergency volunteer center and disaster call center. The emergency volunteer center coordinates individuals and groups that want to volunteer to help with flood preparedness or clean-up. The center, is staffed 8 am-8 pm, 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 the center at 319-337-8657.

The United Way has also set up a shelter in Montgomery Hall for anyone displaced by the flooding.  Anyone needing assistance should call the volunteer center number above or 2-1-1 after hours.  Homeland Security personnel reported that they would be working with the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency in the coming weeks to develop preliminary damage assessments from the flooding.  Public entities that sustain damage to property, including roads and bridges, will be eligible for reimbursement if a presidential disaster is declared.  

Johnson County Public Health Director Doug Beardsley reported that a number of residents have inquired about the need for tetanus shots before working around flood waters.   According to Beardsley, the standard practice is no different during flooding.  

“However, if you know you will be working in flood prevention and recovery efforts and don’t know your immunization status, or it’s been longer than five years since you had a tetanus booster,” Beardsley said, “ you should consult with your health care provider about a tetanus vaccination.”   

Another common concern is the prevalence of mosquitos around floodwaters.  Beardsley said that generally, these mosquitos do not carry an increased risk of illness.  Once the waters have receded and water becomes stagnant, residents should take additional precautions to avoid or prevent mosquito bites.

In addition, residents who have private wells that might be in danger of being flooded should take precautions to protect the wells, including creating a barrier around the well.  If a well is contaminated by flood waters, residents should stop using the water until floodwaters have receded and the well has been shocked with chlorine.

Residents interested in further information about the flooding, including updated lists of road closures, should go to the website of applicable public entities including Johnson County (www.johnson-county.com), Iowa City (www.icgov.org) and Coralville (www.coraville.org).