Des Moines, IA – Major flooding in Iowa has taken residents by storm and been the cause of at least one death, as reported by the Associated Press. The flooding was caused by 3 nights of heavy thunderstorms and more rain is possible over the weekend.
On Wednesday night Iowa received 2 to 4 inches of rain in the overnight hours. These storms come on the heels of a snowy winter, wet spring and rainy summer which have all helped saturate the region. National Weather Service Forecast meteorologist Jim Lee says, “The bulk of this has been caused by those recent extreme rainfalls, especially back-to-back-to-back.”
Between Altoona and Mitchellville 3 cars had been swept off the road by flood waters and the dozen or so passengers were found clinging to trees and logs to stay safe. The death of a 16-year-old girl has been blamed on the flooding and rescue divers found her body in Mud Creek Wednesday afternoon near cars which were swept away.
In Ames, Iowa the Iowa State University’s basketball arena is under 4 to 5 feet of water and 55,000 nearby residents were forced to move to higher ground. Saturated soil broke a water main in Ames, 30 miles north of Des Moines, forcing hundreds of residents out of the area. This drained a city water tower and made it possible that contaminated the system’s water supply. Water, gas and electricity to the affected areas have been shut off to avoid additional water main breaks and a dangerous environment to residents. Police Sargeant Lori Lavorato remarked that, “It’s such a serious and dangerous situation any time there is water around these homes because of the electricity and gas.”
Residents are hoping the rains will subside so that flood waters can recede. In the meantime rescue efforts are underway where needed. The American Red Cross has set up evacuation shelters in Oskaloosa in Mahaska County and Pleasant Hill in Polk County for area residents to receive, food, shelter and emotional support.
Once flood waters have receded, Iowa residents will need to clean up their homes and business to return to their daily lives. Tim Heady, owner of Midwest Basement Systems reports that “major thoroughfare Interstate 35 is closed off due to the flooding.” The company also set over two hundred appointments on August 11th to help area residents with their Des Moines flooded basement needs. To speak with their expert basement and crawlspace waterproofers contact Midwest Basement Systems today.
Midwest Basement Systems
5153 Northeast 17th
Des Moines, IA 50313-2116
http://www.midwestbasementsystems.com
