CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - The Cedar River poured over its banks here Thursday, forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 homes, causing a railroad bridge to collapse and leaving cars underwater on downtown streets.
Officials estimated that 100 blocks were underwater in Cedar Rapids, where several days of preparation could not hold back the rain-swollen river. Rescuers had to use boats to reach many stranded residents, and people could be seen dragging suitcases up closed highway exit ramps to escape the water.
"We're just kind of at God's mercy right now, so hopefully people that never prayed before this, it might be a good time to start," Linn County Sheriff Don Zeller said. "We're going to need a lot of prayers and people are going to need a lot of patience and understanding."
We talked to Todd and Jenny several times yesterday. They said it is just devastating to see...and that the water is still rising. They live in Marion - about 10 minutes from Cedar Rapids...and on higher ground...although there is a creek that runs through Marion that is beginning to rise.
Here are some more pics of Cedar Rapids flooding from the internet.
An incredibly dangerous flooding situation is occurring. This is a historic event and catastrophic flooding will occur in many communities through the next week or longer. Area river levels are cresting higher than first thought because these levels have never been seen before.
We have driven on some of these downtown streets and bridges and highways. Incredible to think all is under water! Appreciate your prayers for our kids and the people there.
1 comment:
Glad they are safe. Hope that they still are what with the creek and all. Seems like Katrina to me. Yuck.
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