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Evacuation plan set for northeast Omaha

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June 16th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – About 2,700 Omahans would have to evacuate if the Missouri River were to breach a levee on the city’s northeast side. City officials released details of the evacuation plan today (Thursday).

A new map from the U.S. Corps of Engineers shows that any massive levee breach would send water north of downtown, flooding the Qwest convention center and the city’s airport. Assistant Omaha Fire Chief Dan Stolinski says the city’s new home of the College World Series, TD Ameritrade Park, would be spared. Nearby Carter Lake, Iowa, would be underwater. That city has its own evacuation plan.

The river’s Omaha water level on Thursday morning was a little over 33 feet. Flood stage is 29 feet. The corps expects the river at Omaha to crest between 34 and 36 feet.