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.

AMES, Iowa – June 10, 2011 – 8:30 p.m. – Flooding from the Missouri River is beginning to impact additional roads in western Iowa as water levels continue to rise. Roads impacted by flooding are expected to be closed for an extended period of time. Iowans are urged to closely monitor conditions and never enter a water-covered roadway. Flood waters can force a vehicle off the roadway. In addition, it is not uncommon for roadways and shoulders to be damaged when flooded, presenting unsafe conditions for motorists.

Current road closures/restrictions:
•I-29 Hamilton Boulevard interchange in Woodbury County: The I-29 interchange ramps at Hamilton Boulevard in Sioux City are closed.

•I-29 in Pottawattamie County: The south- and northbound lanes of I-29 between milepost 61 (near Crescent) and the I-29/I-680 interchange at milepost 71 (near Loveland) are closed.

•I-680 in Pottawattamie County: I-680 is closed from the I-29/680 interchange (exit 61 near Crescent) in Iowa to North 30th Street in Omaha, Nebr. (exit 13). This closure includes the Mormon Bridge across the Missouri River. The Iowa detour route for interstate roadways closed in this vicinity is: I-680 east from the I-29/I-680 interchange near Loveland to I-80, and then take I-80 southwest to Council Bluffs. Eastbound travelers on I-680 in Omaha that are intending to travel to Iowa must exit at North 30th Street (exit 13), continue south on North 30th Street to U.S. 75/I-480, and then continue south on I-480 to I-80 eastbound.

•Iowa 2 in Fremont County: The right lane of eastbound Iowa 2 is closed west of I-29. The westbound lanes remain open. The speed limit will be reduced on this highway to assist travelers safely navigate through the area.

Highway segments at high risk of being closed due to flooding:
(Please note that several updates have been made to the list below. Some roads previously listed as “being monitored” have been reclassified as “high risk of closure.”)
•I-29 near Blencoe: Two segments of I-29 are at risk of being impacted by flood waters in this area: (1) near milepost 103.5 south of Blencoe; and (2) near milepost 107 north of Blencoe.
•I-29 and U.S. 30 near Missouri Valley: Locally sponsored agricultural levees provide some measure of protection for this area. Three highway segments are at most risk in this area: (1) U.S. 30 west of I-29 between mileposts 7 and 8; (2) U.S. 30 east of I-29 between mileposts 9 and 10; and (3) I-29 between mileposts 77 and 78.

•NEW: I-29/I-680 interchange between mileposts 71-72 near Loveland: This interchange is presently part of the I-29 detour. It is expected to be covered with flood waters. A loss of this interchange will significantly impact I-29 travel along the entire highway corridor because it currently serves as a connector between the northern and southern portions of the route. The extent of the traffic impact on the multistate region is yet to be determined. It is dependent on what other Missouri River bridges and roadway segments along the corridor are eventually closed due to
flooding.

•I-29 from milepost 55 (25th Street at the north edge of Council Bluffs) to the I-29/680 interchange, exit 61 (near Crescent): Northbound travel is currently being allowed in this section. Both lanes of travel are expected to eventually be covered with flood waters.

•I-29, U.S. 275 and Iowa 333 at Hamburg in Fremont County: Temporary repairs have been made to the levee in Atchison County, Mo., to delay a full breach. The timing of the closure of these roadways hinges on a full breach.
•Iowa 127 near Mondamin: The segments most at risk of flooding are located east and west of Mondamin, near mileposts 0.8 and 1.5.

•Iowa 175 near Onawa: The segment most at risk of flooding is west of I-29 near the Missouri River. This route serves as the river crossing between Onawa, Iowa, and Decatur, Nebr.

•Iowa 376 (U.S. 75 Business): The roadway from Gordon Drive to Third Street in Sioux City is expected to close.

Undergoing further evaluation or being monitored:
•I-29, in Sioux City at the U.S. 77/Wesley Parkway underpass, exit 147B (known locally as the Downtown/Tyson Event Center exit)

•I-29, from south of Bellevue (milepost 39) to Hamburg (milepost 1): This area is at a lesser risk, but would be inundated if the levee is breached or overtopped.

For traveler assistance, call the Iowa DOT’s flood information call center 866-452-8510 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
For current updates on road conditions – 24 hours a day, visit www.511ia.org or call 511 (in Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (outside of the state).
For all of the Iowa DOT’s flood-related information, visit http://www.iowadot.gov/ and click on the “Flooding Ahead” sign. You can also follow the Iowa DOT on Twitter
at http://twitter.com/#!/iowadot/.

Safety is top priority in flood preparation, response

The Internet can be fun and informative; however, it’s important to remember that not all information presented on the Web is accurate. Especially when it comes to health information, it’s wise to consult reputable and trusted websites, such as those maintained by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A recent example of inaccurate health advice is in regards to flood preparation and the use of bleach.

Bleach can be effective in cleaning and sanitizing basements and items after flooding occurs, but there is no research to show that leaving open containers or tablets of bleach in basements is effective in preventing mold growth. “Leaving bleach out in the open, especially in large quantities, is a concern because undiluted bleach is corrosive,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk.

“If it comes into contact with skin, it can cause skin irritation. Bleach mixed with other chemicals, such as ammonia, can cause breathing difficulties, and will cause gastrointestinal damage if accidently ingested by an unsupervised child.”

Mold is naturally-occurring and can be found everywhere in the environment, both indoors and outdoors. Mold will grow in areas where moisture is present. Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. Exposure to mold can cause a variety of health effects, or none at all.

The most common health complaints are allergic symptoms (runny nose, and itchy eyes) due to mold allergies. If you have an existing health condition such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, it can make those conditions worse.

If you think you are experiencing a serious health problem due to mold, you should consult your health care provider.

(Press Release, Iowa Dept. of Public Health)

The Missouri River is about to reach historic highs and will potentially flood large portions of the western edge of Southwest Iowa. In the immediate term, SWITA (the Southwest Iowa Transit Agency) is preparing alternate routes for affected communities and businesses, and is on standby by for emergency evacuations should the need arise.

Once the flood recedes, SWIPCO (the Southwest Iowa Planning Council, Region 13) is prepared to assist communities as well. It is anticipated that housing assistance and infrastructure assistance will be available if the floods are a federally declared disaster. Cities and individuals are strongly encouraged to document the time and effort spent combating the flood, and any losses sustained from the disaster.

In 2008, the communities that were best able to document their damages were the ones that received the most recovery funds.

(from the “SWITA Update,” newsletter, June 2011)

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is calling for a review of the management of the Missouri River after this year’s flooding recedes. Speaking Friday on the public television program, “Iowa Press,” Branstad noted he has long questioned how the Army Corps of Engineers manages Missouri River dams upriver from Iowa. He thinks they don’t adequately protect downriver states.

He says the focus should now be on preventing flooding and recovering from any damages, but officials should later examine what could have been done to prevent huge releases of water that are threatening communities in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri.

The Corps says the releases are needed because of a wet spring and a huge mountain snowpack.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad says he’s concerned as to how levees in western Iowa will hold up to high water along the Missouri River for a prolonged period. The governor was in Council Bluffs Friday to view flood-fighting efforts and provide an update on the state’s response.

The Missouri 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.

Branstad says communities are responding well to the flood threat but the long-term integrity of the levees is foremost on everyone’s mind.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Rising floodwaters on the Missouri River have forced the closure of the section of Interstate 680 that links Iowa and Nebraska. The Iowa Department of Transportation announced the closing on Friday.

I-680 is now closed between the spot where it meets I-29 and the North 30th Street exit in Omaha. The closing includes the Mormon Bridge over the Missouri River. A 10-mile stretch of Interstate 29 between that location and Council Bluffs is also closed.

Officials recommend that drivers who want to cross between Nebraska and Iowa detour south to Interstate 80 to cross the swollen Missouri River.