Iowa Rivers Continue to Flood
Release Date: May 25, 1999
Release Number: 1277-01a
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Weather Service (NWS) reports major flooding continues to be registered at points along the Wapsipinicon River in Iowa, while a crest is bringing minor to moderate flooding downstream on the Mississippi River. The Wapsipinicon River crested late last night near De Witt near its confluence with the Mississippi River at a near-record of 13.4 feet, which is 3.4 feet above flood stage. The last time the river was this high was in 1990 when the record of 14.2 feet was set.
Many locations along the Mississippi River, from its headwaters in central Minnesota to the confluence with the Ohio are in flood. Some locations will see crests over the next five days as high as four feet above flood stage. In general, flooding impacts will be minor. Other rivers with ongoing NWS flood warnings in Iowa include the Cedar, Des Moines and East Fork of the Des Moines, Iowa, North, Shell Rock and South Skunk.
Officials in Clayton County report a total of 56 displaced residents in three affected cities, the bulk of whom are in the towns of Volga and Littleport. The Iowa National Guard continues to provide water for these two towns and for Elkport and Garber, which are also in Clayton County. County officials have requested 3,000 sandbags to help with flood fights in a residential area south of Interstate 80.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 16-Dec-2003 13:43:44