Tuesday Flooding Update: United Way Ramps Down Mobile Volunteer Effort, as Flood Concerns Continue to Ease

Via Johnson County

Based on the continuing reduction of flooding concerns in Johnson County, the United Way announced it would be suspending operations of its mobilized emergency volunteer center at noon today.  

“We will shift the operations of registering volunteers and matching volunteers with community needs to the United Way office,” said Christine Scheetz, president and CEO of United Way of Johnson County. People interested in volunteering can still register by calling the United Way Disaster Call Center at 319-337-8657.

The Disaster Call Center will continue through 8 pm Friday, June 7. “The United Way Disaster Call Center is available to anyone who has questions about volunteering, needs volunteer assistance or has questions about flood conditions or where to turn for other services,” Scheetz said. After Friday, individuals can contact the United Way 2-1-1 regional call center by dialing 2-1-1 or 866-469-2211 after hours or the United Way office at 319-337-8657 during its regular business hours of 8:30 am-4:30 pm Monday-Friday.

Scheetz also stressed that the Emergency Volunteer Center is a mobile system. For this flood event, operations have been located at the Johnson County Fairgrounds; however, “the location of the Emergency Volunteer Center will vary depending on where we are asked to mobilize,” Scheetz explained. “We can activate on request in less than an hour in a location determined by local government officials,” Scheetz said.

Also at today’s briefing, Jim Stiman with the Army Corps of Engineers reported that projections for the peak water level at the Coralville Reservoir continue to drop. Even with the National Weather Service’s forecast of 1/3 to ¾ of an inch of rain in the next 24 hours, the peak water level is estimated at 709 feet on June 6, a drop of one foot from yesterday’s report.

Dee Goldman, operations manager with the Corps, thanked the public for heeding the closure of the road going over the dam. That road was closed last night at 10 pm. “It has made our job a whole lot easier,” he said. Goldman reported that inflow to the Reservoir is currently at 24,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), with outflow at 18,400 cfs. He also said that the current level of the Reservoir this morning was 708.36 feet, which was a half-foot rise in the last 24 hours. 

Any use of the Iowa River south of the dam continues to be prohibited.  Recreation is still allowed on the Reservoir but boaters are warned to exercise caution due to debris coming into the Reservoir and construction materials just under the water near the Mehaffey Bridge project.  

The University of Iowa, Coralville, Iowa City and Hills continued to report confidence in current levels of preparation.  Terrence Neuzil, Public Information Officer with the Emergency Management Agency, reported that the City of Iowa City was keeping an eye on potential water on Rocky Shore Drive and possible pooling of water on Iowa Avenue. Johnson County continues to have four mandatory evacuation orders in effect and updated road closures are posted on the County website at www.johnson-county.com.  

The Emergency Operations Center updates will continue through this Friday, June 7, with press conferences following at approximately 9 am.