COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad will travel to western Iowa to view flood-fighting efforts as the Missouri River swells. Branstad is scheduled to meet this (Friday) afternoon with workers filling sandbags in Council Bluffs. A news conference will follow to discuss the flood situation.

The governor has canceled an aerial tour of western Iowa counties because of weather. It was to have preceded his stops in Council Bluffs.

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 until at least August.