Iowans told to evacuate as river rises

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Volunteers filled sandbags and homeowners began moving things out of their basements on Saturday in preparation for flooding along the Cedar River in Iowa.

The river is expected to crest Tuesday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second-largest city, with a population of about 130,000. But with more rain expected Saturday night, officials there warned people to evacuate downtown areas of the city near the river by 8 p.m. today.

“We have emergency personnel that can help you if needed,” Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett said Saturday. “They’ll risk their lives for you. But we don’t want them to risk their lives.”

The Cedar River is expected to crest at 24.5 feet on Tuesday.

In Cedar Falls, about 55 miles upriver from Cedar Rapids, Lynn Hoth was among a group of volunteers who spent Friday filling sandbags and building flood barriers.

“Last time, we were an island for three days and we couldn’t get in or out,” Hoth told KCRG-TV, referring to a 2008 flood that caused billions of dollars in damage. This time around, “we’ve had notice, so that’s good, and people help each other.”

In southeastern Minnesota, roads were reopening Saturday as floodwaters receded. But north of Minneapolis, parts of U.S. 169 remained closed in both directions because of flooding.

The weather service said storms Saturday night and today would drop more rain on the region.