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Hundreds in Iowa leave homes as Missouri rises

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June 11th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has released new information on the number of residents who’ve been forced from their homes because of Missouri River flooding.

The State Joint Information Center said Saturday that 200 to 300 people have voluntary evacuated in Modale and more than 300 people were ordered to leave their homes on the south side of Hamburg. About 100 homes were vacated in Council Bluffs, but the number of residents affected wasn’t known.

The Missouri River is rising rapidly because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is increasing the amount of water it releases from upstream reservoirs to deal with heavy spring rains and snowpack. The river is expected to crest 5 to 7 feet above flood stage in Iowa and Nebraska next week, but the water will remain high into fall.