Flooding Updates: Mudslide Causes Problems (Photo and Video), County Closes Roads, Asks for Help Reporting Damage

All coverage from Thursday:

Johnson County Closes Roads

Media Release

As of 3:30 p.m. on April 18th, the Johnson County Secondary Roads Department has closed the following roads in places due to high water. 

This list will be updated again at 8:30 am. on Friday, April 19th. 

• Half Moon between I80 and the railroad crossing
• Half Moon/Hazelwood 4400 Block
• Napoleon between Sand Road and Sioux Avenue
• Chambers Avenue between 140th and Knapp Creek Way
• 5800 Block of Sand Road
• 140th Street West of Ely Road
• Sandy Beach Road by the beach
• 3000 Block of Calkins
• Black Diamond from Black Hawk Ave to the west
• 5600 Block of Naples
• Observatory between 540th and 560th
• Copi Road at 2328 Copi Road
• Hazelwood between Rohret and Black Diamond
• Calkins between Black Diamond and 470th
• Black Hawk between Black Diamond and 480th
• Otter Creek Road
• Hoosier Creek between the Ely Road and Naples
• Cosgrove Road between Black Diamond and 480th Street
• Sand Road between 560th and HWY 22
• 500th Street between Naples and Oakcrest Hill Road
• Black Diamond between Hazelwood and Half Moon
• Greencastle between Swan Lake Rd and 2311 Greencastle
• Kansas Avenue between Hwy 1 and Sharon Center Road
• Tri County Bridge
• Sharon Center Road between HWY 1 and Kansas Ave
• 560th Street between Sioux and Sand Road
• Maier Avenue from 480th to Osage

Johnson County Issues Disaster Area Declaration, Asks Residents Businesses to Help Report

Media Release 

In response to the storm damage throughout Johnson County yesterday, April 17, 2013, Johnson County Emergency Management issued a county emergency disaster declaration. The order allows county resources to be used by communities in Johnson County. 

Residents who have experienced storm damage to their property—homes as well as businesses—are encouraged to submit their damage reports to Johnson County through the County’s website at http://www.johnson-county.com/dept_emergency.aspx?id=11392. State and federal authorities use data regarding damage to public and private property to determine whether an area qualifies for certain forms of assistance.

Cleanup of Mayflower Mess Completed

From City of Iowa City

Effective immediately, the Manville Heights bus route has returned to normal operations and will resume service to the Peninsula and Forest View areas off of Foster Road. Shuttle service to these areas has been cancelled.

Iowa City Coped with Heavy Rain

Media Release

In the past 24 hours, Iowa City has experienced rainfall accumulations of 4.5 inches, and even more in neighboring locations, such as North Liberty, reporting 8.28 inches of rain. Because of the wet weather pattern Iowa City has been experiencing this April, flooding has been compounded by the saturated grounds that existed even before yesterday's rainfall event.

Iowa City services are running on schedule despite this morning's closure of Dubuque Street, between Park and Foster Roads. Currently, the southbound lanes of Dubuque Street have been reopened and northbound lanes remain closed. Bus routes are operating as usual, with shuttles being used to detour passengers who reside in the Peninsula and Forest View areas.

Wednesday's storms caused a host of problems across Johnson County, with Emergency Management of Johnson County ultimately submitting a Local Disaster Declaration to the State of Iowa. Residents who have experienced damage to their property (homes as well as businesses) due to the storms are encouraged to submit their damage reports to the County at: www.johnson-county.com/dept_emergency.aspx?id=11392. Please contact Dave Wilson, Emergency Management Coordinator, with any questions regarding this process at 319-356-6761 or email dave.wilson@jecc-ema.org.

Rick Fosse, Public Works Director, notes that "we have experienced more intense rainfalls within the past year with higher flash flooding. However, the long duration of this storm has saturated the ground to an extent that we have not seen since 1993. We are also seeing basement flooding across Iowa City, even in homes not located in the floodplain." Public Works staff is currently assessing damage to Iowa City's public facilities and continues to monitor the situation for any issues that may arise due to the heavy rainfall. While many areas have been impacted by the rain, local conditions are improving.

The Army Corps of Engineers is closely monitoring water levels at the Coralville Reservoir and will adjust outflows as conditions require. The levels at the Coralville Reservoir can be followed at http://rivergages.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/Districts/MVR/Forecast/corforecast.html.

Although the National Weather Service predicts a wet forecast for the upcoming week, rainfall totals are not expected to exceed more than ¼ inch, providing some relief to residents.

Previous Coverage: Marion and Iowa City Struggled with Rain Overnight Wednesday and early into the morning Thursday

Heavy rains are causing problems and flooding throughout Eastern Iowa today.

Johnson County issued a disaster proclamation, Solon has called for sand bagging volunteers, there was a mudslide at Mayflower Residence Hall in Iowa City, Indian Creek is flooding in Marion and roads are closed in both Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

According to the National Weather Service, the flood stage for the Iowa River at Iowa City is 22 feet. At 8 a.m. Thursday the river was at that level and rising. The Weather Service said the river could hit 22.5 feet today but then should fall back below flood stage.

The Weather Service said some areas received between 3 to 5 inches, with locally higher amounts across Eastern Iowa.

Have you seen flooded roads or other areas people should know about? Have flooding in your basement? Leave a comment and let us know.

Johnson and Linn Counties are under a flood warning until 9:30 p.m. Thursday. There is a chance for continuing rain over the next several days, according to the Weather Service forecast. Tonight could even see snow, though rest assured little to no snow accumulation is expected.

Meanwhile, Chicago is also experiencing bad weather, with over 1,000 flights reported canceled, according to USA Today. If you have tickets out of Cedar Rapids today, the Eastern Iowa Airport recommends checking the status of your flight before heading to the airport.

Read more:

Photos: Mudslide Near University of Iowa Mayflower Residence Hall Causes Major Disruptions

Iowa City Road Closures: Dubuque Street Closed Due to Flooding

Flash Flooding Leads to Disaster Declaration in Johnson County

Completion of Road Construction on Highway One Delayed by Heavy Rains