DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State officials say crews are working to reinforce and patch aging levees as they prepare for a record release of water on the Missouri River.

Speaking Monday at a news conference with Gov. Terry Branstad, Iowa National Guard Adjutant Derek Hill acknowledged officials are worried about the strength of many levees that haven’t been updated in years.

He says those levees will be under intense strain as more water from reservoirs upstream is released. That high water will hit Sioux City on Wednesday and Council Bluffs on Thursday.

Gov. Terry Branstad says officials continue to examine the levees, looking for spots where repairs are needed.