COUNCIL BLUFFS – The American Red Cross, Pottawattamie County Emergency Management, and Officials with the City of Avoca have coordinated the opening of shelter for area families and individuals affected by flooding from the West Nishnabotna River in eastern Pottawattamie County.

Officials, preparing for potential historic flood levels along the West Nishnabotna River are prepared to provide emergency sheltering for those whose property may be threatened by river levels that continue to rise. The shelter is located at the Green Hills Area Education Agency at 919 N. Chestnut St, Avoca, Iowa.

Anyone who has been displaced from their home is urged to come to the shelter. Red Cross volunteers are on hand to provide a safe place to stay, a place to sleep, a hot meal and referrals to community services.

Anyone evacuating to a shelter should bring essential items for each member of the family, including:

• Prescriptions and emergency medications • Foods that meet unusual dietary requirements • Identification to show residence is in affected area and important personal documents • Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items • Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys • Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled

The shelter will remain open as long as necessary. The Red Cross is working closely with local emergency management officials to coordinate relief services.

To receive emergency weather warnings and community alerts such as evacuations, shelter locations, and other emergency notices, sign up for free alerts from Pottawattamie Alert, part of the Alert Iowa Network, at www.pottcounty-ia.gov.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – As heavy rains move in and snow melt continues, the potential for river flooding begins. Officials are preparing for what the National Weather Service has described as a flood event that has historic potential, primarily along the West Nishnabotna River. Levels at the Missouri River are forecast to reach a potential 29 feet in minor flood stage by 7am Saturday morning, similar to events observed last summer. The Nishnabotna is forecast to crest at just over 26 feet in major flood stage by 1am Thursday, topping the 23.5 foot record set in July of 1993.

“There are many variables in this scenario that will impact the river levels,” commented Doug Reed, Director of Emergency Management. “With existing snow pack, frozen ground, and varying ranges of potential rainfall this event could go either way – however, we need to be prepared for the worstcase potential.” In doing so, a Declaration of Disaster Emergency has been authorized for the communities of Avoca, Hancock, Oakland, Carson, Macedonia, Council Bluffs, and unincorporated areas of Pottawattamie County as a preemptive measure should any of the jurisdictions require assistance from mutual aid partners or state agencies based on actual observed conditions.

Currently, county and city agencies are preparing to secure storm sewer systems, roads, and other infrastructure that may be impacted. Urban streets are likely to experience flooding during the heavy rain event and some rural highways and roads near and around the Nishnabotna River could be closed due to floodwaters. Pottawattamie County Conservation is working to relocate the Botna Bend Park buffalo herd to a safer location and moving the elk herd to a higher elevation within the park. Emergency Management has been coordinating additional resource support with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management should they be needed and coordinating preparedness efforts with partners such as MidAmerican Energy and others.

Residents and people with interests along the rivers are advised to begin monitoring river conditions and prepare accordingly. With frozen ground conditions creating higher runoff than normal, river levels have the potential to rise more rapid than in normal high water and flooding events. For more information on flood preparedness, visit the Floods and Flash Floods page at www.beready.iowa.gov.

To receive emergency weather warnings and community alerts such as evacuations, shelter locations, and other emergency notices, sign up for free alerts from Pottawattamie Alert, part of the Alert Iowa Network, at www.pottcounty-ia.gov.

The Iowa Department of Transportation as of 5:30pm have noted a number of closures on roadways due to flooding issues and detours have been put in place.

Iowa Highway 44 on the East end of Harlan is blocked because of flooding between US Highway 59 and County Road M47. Traffic is being routed down to I-80 and back up on M47.

Interstate 680 is closed in both directions between Exit 71 and Exit 21 due to flooding. A detour using I-80 is in place.

US 30 between IA 44 and IA 37 in Woodbine is blocked due to flooding. A detour through Panama and Earling is in place.

Drivers in Cass County are being asked to avoid Highway 48 North of Griswold due to flooding of that roadway.

Delays are also occurring along Highway 6 in Cass and Pottawattamie Counties due to water of the roadway in numerous locations.

Motorists are being asked to avoid rural road travel all across the region if possible and to use extreme caution when traveling in the region. Do not attempt to cross a flooded roadway, standing or running water.

You can check the latest road updates at 511ia.org or by calling 511.

Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page-Harrison-Shelby-Monona

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THURSDAY TO 1 AM CDT
FRIDAY...

The National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley has issued a Wind
Advisory, which is in effect from 9 AM Thursday to 1 AM CDT
Friday. The Wind Advisory for this afternoon has been cancelled.

* WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

* TIMING...Thursday and Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Strong winds may blow down limbs, trees, and power
  lines. Scattered power outages are expected.

Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Polk-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold

...WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT THURSDAY...
...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has cancelled the
Dense Fog Advisory. The Wind Advisory remains in effect.

* WINDS...Southeast at 25 to 35 mph gusting to 40 to 45 mph.

Cass IA-Union IA-Adams IA-Ringgold IA-Taylor IA-Adair IA-
1157 AM CDT WED MAR 13 2019

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a

* Flood Warning for Small Streams in…
Cass County in southwestern Iowa…
Union County in south central Iowa…
Adams County in southwestern Iowa…
Ringgold County in south central Iowa…
Taylor County in southwestern Iowa…
Adair County in southwestern Iowa…

* Until noon CDT Thursday.

* At 1152 AM CDT, the combination of rainfall and residual snowmelt
is resulting in rises in creeks and streams across the area. Local
law enforcement and spotters have reported several county roads
with water over them. In addition, another round of moderate
rainfall will impact portions of western Iowa this afternoon with
an additional 0.25 to 0.75 inches of rainfall possible. This
rainfall will lead to additional flooding impacts along creeks and
streams and low lying areas. Ice jams are also possible.

* Some locations that may experience flooding include…
Creston, Atlantic, Greenfield, Mount Ayr, Corning, Bedford, Stuart,
Lenox, Griswold, Sun Valley Lake, Green Valley Lake, Lake Icaria,
Anita, Afton, Adair, Fontanelle, Lewis, New Market, Orient and
Clearfield.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small
creeks and streams, country roads, farmland, and other low lying
spots.

MODERATE TO MAJOR, AND POSSIBLY HISTORIC FLOODING EXPECTED TO DEVELOP…

.Heavy rain, combined with warmer temperatures and melting snow, frozen ground, and thick ice cover in the rivers will lead to widespread flooding on many rivers and streams. Minor flooding of some roads have already occurred, as well as urban flooding in areas where drains were blocked with snow and ice. Many rivers will experience moderate to major flooding, and in some cases, record flooding is forecast. Ice jams could also develop with little notice which would enhance the flood threat. Road closures are possible in flooded areas.

Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-
Page Counties in Iowa……FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING…

* Showers and thunderstorms will be possible today, with 1 to 2.5 inches of rain through Thursday. Due to the unique combination of heavy rain, continued snowmelt, frozen ground,
and thick ice cover on area rivers, widespread flooding is expected. Many rivers will experience moderate to major flooding, and in some instances, record flooding is possible.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Significant and rapid river level increases are possible due to excessive runoff. Ice jams could also develop with little notice which would further enhance the flood
threat. Many rural roads could be inundated, and urban flooding may occur in poor drainage areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take quick action should flooding develop.

1112 AM CDT Wed Mar 13 2019

…DENSE FOG TODAY, HIGH WINDS THURSDAY…

Areas of dense will continue across the area today with visibility 1/4 mile or less. Very strong winds are forecast for Thursday. Visibility could also be reduced Thursday with areas of
blowing snow. Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery Counties…

…DENSE FOG ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CDT THIS EVENING…

* VISIBILITIES…at times less than a half a mile this afternoon.While raining, they may improve for a time.

* IMPACTS…Slow travel due to the lower visibilities. Exercise caution if traveling.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Dense Fog Advisory means visibilities will frequently be reduced to less than one quarter mile. If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a

* Flood Warning for…
Guthrie County in west central Iowa…Dallas County in central Iowa…* Until 1015 AM CDT Thursday.

* At 1005 AM CDT, emergency management and automated river gages reported rapid 8 to 10 foot rises on the Middle Raccoon and South Raccoon Rivers in Dallas and Guthrie Counties due to ice jams. This is likely to impact several county roads near the rivers with road closures expected. In addition…another round of moderate to heavy rainfall will impact Dallas and Guthrie Counties later this morning into the afternoon. This rainfall, along with continued snowmelt will lead to additional flooding impacts along small creeks and streams and low lying or poor drainage areas.

* Some locations that may experience flooding include…
West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, Grimes, Perry, Adel,
Guthrie Center, Stuart, Dallas Center, Earlham, Granger, Panora, De
Soto, Woodward, Van Meter, Jordan Creek Town Center, Lake Panorama,
Redfield and Adair.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, country roads, farmland, and other low lying spots. A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. All interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately.

(Radio Iowa) — It’s said April showers bring May flowers, but after Iowa’s snowiest February on record, March showers bring widespread flooding. Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff, at the National Weather Service, says there are flood watches and warnings all across the Iowa map and some roads are already barricaded off due to the high water. “We’ve got several areas that are forecast to go into either minor or moderate flooding,” Hagenhoff says. “Luckily, we’re not seeing that quite yet, other than in a few locations, but definitely with the continued snowmelt that we’re seeing and extra rainfall today, it’s only going to enhance that.”

Some waterways in southwest Iowa and across much of eastern Iowa have already seen water levels double in the past 24 hours. “The areas we’re really most concerned about are where we’re looking at ice jam potential,” Hagenhoff says. “Those can be especially hazardous just because they can happen fairly quickly with rapid rises and you don’t get a lot of warning.” Indianola and Ottumwa had flash flooding due to ice jams on Tuesday. Other areas of particular concern for ice jams include Marshalltown, Fort Dodge, Van Meter and north of Waterloo. The forecast calls for much warmer weather today (Wednesday), with high temperatures in the upper 40s in northern Iowa to near 60 in southern Iowa. Hagenhoff says there’s still deep snowpack in parts of the state. “We’re pushing ten to 15 inches across portions of northern Iowa,” Hagenhoff says. “Those areas will be a little cooler today but certainly, we’re expecting to see quite a bit of snowmelt all the way through central Iowa. Southern Iowa has seen a lot of melting already and in many cases, their snowpack has completely disappeared.”

The National Weather Service is again posting warnings to motorists approaching flooded waterways, telling them to “Turn around, don’t drown.”  “The biggest thing is just to be aware,” she says. “If you can’t see the road through the water, it’s probably a good idea to just turn around and find a different route. You never know how deep it is or what the road conditions are like under that water.” Even in areas where the snow is already long gone, Hagenhoff says there’s concern about flooding as waterways are swelling with runoff from snowmelt upriver.