United Group Insurance

Bluffs residents told to prepare for minor Mo. River flooding

News

June 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Mayor of Council Bluffs is advising residents to prepare for minor flooding near the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park. The Daily NonPareil, citing information from the National Weather Service, says   an increase in Missouri River water levels, caused by heavy rains near Sioux City and Sioux Falls, S.D., could raise the river to flood stage of 30 feet by this weekend or earlier.

During a meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wednesday afternoon, Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh said officials told him water levels will peak today (Thursday) and would recede starting Sunday. Walsh said it is unlikely the Missouri River will reach the same level as the Flood of 2011. However, that could change depending on additional precipitation that could fall throughout the week. The river is expected to rise to 32-feet, just 2 feet below flood stage.

Doug Reed, emergency management director for Pottawattamie County, said in a press release, that the river is expected to fall below flood stage by Tuesday morning. Earlier this week, the National Weather Service issued a river flood advisory for areas along the Missouri River. The potentially affected areas in Iowa include the cities Council Bluffs and Missouri Valley and elsewhere in Pottawattamie and Harrison counties. Affected Nebraska areas include Omaha and Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties.

Jody Farhat, who oversees dam releases for the corps, said the flooding would be the second- or third-highest stages officials have seen from Sioux City to Omaha. Pott. County Emergency Management officials say City and county officials will inform residents in flood-prone areas near the river to closely monitor water levels and be keeping a close eye on roads that could be affected by high water.,

Officials say the Narrows Rivers Park will be closed to public access, beginning Friday morning. The Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge north of Council Bluffs closed Wednesday due to high water levels on the refuge’s auto tour road. The DeSoto and Boyer Chute national wildlife refuges are located north of Omaha on U.S. Highway 30 between Missouri Valley and U.S. Highway 75 near Fort Calhoun, Neb. DeSoto currently remains open.

A flood information hotline – (712) 242-1104 – will be available to Pottawattamie County residents Today (Thursday) and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.