Iowa is using a Blackhawk helicopter to drop 1,000-pound sandbags on a levee leak that threatens to flood a community in the southwestern part of the state. Gen. Derek Hill of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security says sandbags were being dropped Sunday on a leak in a levee in Atchison County, Mo. He says it was too dangerous to use ground crews for the work.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported Sunday morning there was a breach in a Missouri River levee that could flood Hamburg, Iowa. The city is about five miles north of the leak, and Hill says the land in that area is flat and the leaking water is expected to flow back into Hamburg.

The leak has forced the evacuation of 600 Hamburg residents.

DES MOINES – Rapidly warming weather and water temperatures have prompted concerns about microcystin, a product of blue-green algae.

Sun Valley Lake, a private lake and development in Taylor County, reported a small fish kill on Saturday in an area of the lake that appeared to have a blue-green algae bloom. The algae can deplete oxygen making fish vulnerable, particularly this time of year when fish are also stressed because of spawning activities.

Sun Valley Lake will be sampled by Iowa Department of Natural Resources for microsystin. Because the conditions are conducive to blue-green algae growth, people and pets should not be in contact with water that has a poor appearance.  The appearance can be a pea-green or blue-green color, but also a reddish-brown. It may appear with scum, foam or as a thick mat on the water surface. Blue-green algae can grow quickly and become very abundant in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that receives a lot of sunlight.

The main risk to humans from microcystin is skin irritations and rashes, but if the water is swallowed or airborne droplets are inhaled during swimming, bathing or showering, symptoms could be worse. Those would include headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, seizures, liver injury and respiratory problems.

Precautions that should be taken to prevent health-related problems due to harmful algal blooms include:

*          Don’t swim, water ski or boat in areas where the water is discolored or if there is foam, scum or mats of algae on the water.
*          If you come in contact with water that might have a harmful algal bloom, rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible.
*          Don’t let pets or livestock swim in or drink from areas where water is discolored, of if there is foam, scum or mats of algae on the water.
*          Don’t let pets (especially dogs) lick the algae off their fur after swimming in scummy water.
*          Don’t irrigate lawns or golf courses with pond water that looks scummy or has a bad odor.
*          Don’t drink the water. Boiling the water will not make it safe to drink.

AMES, Iowa – June 5, 2011; 3:15 p.m. – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that all portions of Interstate 29 in Iowa remain open at this time.

The minor levee boil south of Hamburg in Missouris Atchison County has NOT impacted I-29 in Iowa. The Iowa DOT is monitoring the situation in Hamburg, but there is no imminent danger to I-29 at this time.

If it becomes necessary to close the interstate or other state roadways due to flooding, the Iowa DOT will provide the public with as much advance notice as possible. If a road is closed due to flash flooding, a notice will be issued as quickly as possible.

For the latest road condition information 24 hours a day, visit http://www.511ia.org/ or call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (outside Iowa).

Chris Parks with the latest local and state news.

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No injuries were reported following a rollover accident this (Friday) morning, in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa State Patrol says 46-year old Mark Darren Wilson, of Council Bluffs, was driving a 2001 Chevy Tahoe SUV north, down a hill on Wabash Avenue, when he was passed on the left by another vehicle.

Wilson was startled, steered to the right and then over-corrected. His actions caused the SUV to cross the center line of road before it entered the left ditch. Wilson over-corrected to the right again, which resulted in the vehicle catching the edge of the road and rolling onto its top.

The truck slid on its top down the roadway before finally coming to rest in the southbound lane of Wabash Avenue. Neither Wilson, nor his two passengers in the SUV were injured in the crash, which happened at around 12:20-a.m., and caused $5,000 damage.

The Patrol says Wilson was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Beginning the week of June 13th, construction will begin on the 2011 PCC (Portland Cement Concrete) Paving and Storm Sewer Improvement project within the City of Atlantic. The contractor intends to begin on Birch Street between 7th Street and 14th Street.

Existing roadway surfacing will be removed, so therefore, there will be limited and restricted
access to residences. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Snyder and Associates’ Engineer Dave Sturm at 243-6505.

The Cass County Sheriff’s office reports one person was taken into custody Wednesday on a theft charge. 27-year old Sean Duane Elston, of Red Oak, was taken into custody on a Magistrate’s Warrant for Theft 5th Degree.

Elston was brought to the Cass County Jail where he pled guilty, and was released later that day.

DES MOINES – Gov. Branstad’s office today is releasing the following information in conjunction with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management:

Citizens in Western Iowa counties may access several resources for answers to questions regarding possible widespread flooding in the Missouri River valley.

Iowa Concern Hotline

Citizens in the affected areas may call the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985. When flooding is a concern in the state, Iowa State University Extension’s Iowa Concern hotline is available for those who need assistance. The Iowa Concern Hotline is available 24 hours a day. All calls are free and confidential, and the operators are willing to assist wherever possible.

2-1-1

In addition, residents may call 2-1-1 with questions or concerns about the flooding and steps they should take. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community:
*        Basic human needs resource: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.

*        Support for older Americans and persons with special needs: home health care, adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation, and homemaker services.

*        Volunteer opportunities and donations.
Donations and Volunteering

Donations of “stuff” (clothing, miscellaneous food items, household goods, etc.) are NOT needed at this time. Cash is best; it doesn’t need to be sorted, stored or distributed, and cash allows the receiving voluntary agency to direct the donation to the needs that most urgently need addressing. To donate cash, visit www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/CashDonations/Default2.aspx?ST=Iowa<http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/CashDonations/Default2.aspx?ST=Iowa>

Those wishing to volunteer in the flood fight may sign up to do so at www.volunteeriowa.org<http://www.volunteeriowa.org>.

ONAWA – Due to anticipated flooding, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will close Lewis and Clark State Park along the Missouri River in Monona County beginning Monday, June 6.

The rising water table in the area will cause the park to flood around June 10 and is not expected to recede for close to eight weeks. High water will cut off the park road and infiltrate the park facilities.

“Campers currently in the park are safe,” said Eric Haakenson, DNR park ranger. “We just want to make sure the park is cleared beforehand.”

In addition to Lewis and Clark, the DNR has closed and removed the staff at Wilson Island State Recreation Area, north of Council Bluffs, and is watching the levee separating Lake Manawa State Park from the Missouri River.

The DNR has suspended the 14-day maximum length of stay rule for evacuees who choose to camp at Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County and may look at doing the same at other western Iowa parks if the need arises.

AMES, Iowa – June 3, 2011 – 10:30 a.m. – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is presently carrying out emergency contingency planning in light of the Missouri River flooding, which is expected to continue through June. The Iowa DOT is already performing some emergency response activities to assist with regional traffic impacts related to flooding occurring in South Dakota, and making other preparations in the Sioux City area.
  
As part of its planning effort, the Iowa DOT is evaluating hydrological data and conducting an assessment of elevations of state roadways and its facilities, which are located along the corridor from Sioux City to Hamburg. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the potential for flood inundation or other impacts. Where it is warranted, state assets will be relocated.

Included in the evaluation is an assessment of the vulnerability of the interstate highways. All interstate routes remain open to traffic at this time.
If it becomes necessary to close the interstate or other state roadways due to flooding, the Iowa DOT will provide the public with as much advance notice as possible. However, the volume and rate of rising flood waters can be unpredictable and the window of opportunity to notify the public may be limited in some instances.

Local area residents planning to use state or interstate highways as evacuation routes should closely monitor travel conditions.
Commercial motor carriers with permitted oversize loads should check availability of designated routes by visiting www.511ia.org.
Any detours that are established may involve significant out-of-distance travel due to the vast area that the flood waters are forecast to impact. Therefore, persons planning to travel on the far western edge of Iowa over the next month should check travel conditions to select the best route to avoid significant delays.

A proclamation issued by Governor Branstad today outlines several Iowa regulatory provisions pertaining to commercial motor vehicle drivers and motor carriers that have been temporarily suspended for travel associated with the flood response. Complete details are outlined in the proclamation. 
To view the proclamation, live Webcam images, flood-related news releases and flood safety tips for travelers, visit www.iowadot.gov and click on the “Flooding Ahead” sign.

Visit www.511ia.org or call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (outside Iowa) for the latest road conditions.