AREAS OF CONCERN

State
officials continue to closely monitor the Mississippi River in southeast Iowa while aggressively
coordinating recovery efforts in other parts of the state.

Keokuk

The
river is projected to crest in Keokuk on Thursday afternoon at 27.4 feet, just
under the record of 27.6 feet.

Iowa
National Guard troops and other state resources remain in the area and are
ready to help local officials respond to any emergency.

Local
officials along the Mississippi in southeast Iowa have used the days
before the river surge to effectively raise levees to protect key
infrastructure items like water treatment plants. “All state resources
will be used to continue this flood fight,” Governor Chet Culver
stressed.

The
Governor visited Fort
Madison and
Keokuk Wednesday afternoon to ensure local officials and first responders
have the state resources they need.

Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Police have requested
assistance via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) for
additional law enforcement support. Additional officers are requested to
provide public safety and law enforcement services in flood zones in the
city. Officers from Minnesota and Nebraska will supplement Iowa law enforcement resources to provide
this support and are being implemented as phased in
deployments on a timeline established by Cedar Rapids Police.

Officials understand the frustration of Cedar Rapids residents who
want to return home. They stress they are working to clear the evacuated area
of all hazards to ensure a safe reentry. Sink holes, downed power lines and
uncovered manholes remain a hazard. While the city’s water capacity has
improved, residents are asked to conserve water. Linn County
has established regular press briefings and residents are encouraged to tune to
those for the latest information. Large portions of the city have been opened
for reentry.

Four Disaster Recovery Centers were established in Cedar Rapids Wednesday.
These centers give those impacted by the floods a place to meet face to face
with state and federal workers to learn about specific programs available to
help them and the steps needed to enroll in those programs.

More than 200 National Guard soldiers are in the area to help local officials
with flood preparation and response.

Ottumwa
The
river has crested in Ottumwa.
Though waters are receding, the threat remains that water control efforts could
fail. Citizens are encouraged to use caution in the coming days.