Today’s Local News

The Washington County Engineer’s Office announces the following roads are closed due to flooding:

* Nutmeg Ave and Poplar Blvd southeast of Kalona
Dogwood Ave at McKains Access northwest of Brighton
* 250th Street northeast of Ainsworth
* Willow Ave north of 130th Street east of Riverside
* Locust Street in the city of Coppock
* 130th Street east of old 218
* 150th Street near the Johnson-Washington County line

Residents encountering flooded roadways should turn around and not attempt to drive through water. Residents may contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 319-653-2107 if they encounter additional flooded roadways.

This is the County Secondary roads website for closed roads.

The effort in Columbus Junction may not overcome the rising water. Volunteer Mary Wilson says they are at a turning point. The water is rising faster than they can handle, they are ceasing sandbagging operations.

They no longer want people to use the water in Columbus Junction, although it is not contaminated. Columbus City is having their water shut off.

Some people’s homes will likely be abandoned to rising water, some may be seeking shelter. Wilson says that city leaders and officials are meeting to assess the next step.

Paws and More in Washington needs kennels and litter boxes, they are taking in animals displaces by the flooding and you can call them at 653-4796

Residents of Hills ask for volunteers to help out as water levels rise and cause problems there.

Here are some options the Louisa County Sheriff’s office compiled, but keep in mind, river levels continue to rise, this information is subject to change.

Routes to Illinois.

Washington County Public Safety Center reports the best bet for getting to Illinois from Washington is going through Burlington.

All roads leading north and east of Columbus Junction, Wapello and Oakville are closed. That includes Highway 61, Highway 70 and County Road X-61, (which is Stewart Road), and all other secondary roads.

This situation could last many days and possibly more than a week according to the Louisa County Sheriff.

Washington Mayor Rick Cicalo reports 14,000 sand bags have been freed from a state system; they were stored at the staging base in Washington. They are getting sent to Columbus Junction.

Code Red Alert from the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office states there is a mandatory evacuation of Oakville and surrounding bottoms. This includes areas north of the Hawkeye Dolby Ditch to the Iowa River Bridge West of Oakville. Residents must be evacuated by 8 a.m. Monday (6/16/2008) morning. Officers ask that you place a white piece of paper on the front door to let them know the residence has indeed been evacuated. National Guard are being sent to the area for security. Please remember:

Solid Rock Baptist Church 14041 Locust Street, Wapello, 523-5320

– Will be a local shelter 24/7

– Will be serving 2 meals a day at noon and evening

– They will be serving residents needs through the duration of the flood and until it is

safe for families to return to their homes

– They are setting up mobile shower and laundry facilities

– You may go just for meals or showering even if you do not need to stay at the shelter

– They currently do not need supply support as they are being supported by the Red Cross

Louisa County Sheriff’s Office reports a mandatory evacuation is ordered for Oakville by Monday, June 16.

Columbus Junction reportedly remains very low or out of bags for sandbagging. But volunteers are still needed. Ann Moore from the Washington Chamber of Commerce says they can use help serving meals at the American Legion in Columbus Junction.

The roads between Washington and Columbus Junction remains open.

The Iowa River at Columbus Junction has now surpassed the record level set in 1993. The Friday at 1 p.m. observation from the U.S. Geological Survey shows 28.41 feet. The previous record was 28.3. The forecast currently shows the level could reach 33.2 feet by Monday.

Here is KCII’s update from Emergency Management Coordinator Larry Smith, and from Columbus Junction Mary Wilson gives us the latest: Listen to the interview.

This information is from the Washington Chamber of Commerce:

Riverside Casino & Golf Resort is organizing volunteers to help sandbag in various locations that are in need of assistance. A shuttle will provide transportation to and from the work sites, departing from the casino on:

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Depart at 8 a.m. and return at 12:30 p.m.

Depart at 1:00 p.m. and return at 4:30 p.m.

Depart at 5:00 p.m. and return at 9:30 p.m.

· Volunteers need to meet in front of the security desk or at the employee entrance of the casino (East side of the building) before the departure times.

· Please wear boots and gloves, and bring a shovel if you have one.

Ann Moore from the Washington Chamber of Commerce reports that the Mayor called asking if anyone traveling to Columbus Junction can bring bags for sandbagging. If so, stop by the Fire station in Washington.

Due to flooding, Highway 22 east of Riverside near the casino is closed.

More Washington County roads closing info

Louisa County Sheriff’s office reports the levee at Wapello is breached, and is not affecting Wapello city, but surrounding areas.

Here are the items needed for the armory in Washington (post is below):

Food donations, fruit, baked goods, cases of water, Gatorade, lemonade, paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic dinnerware. Ziplock bags

Toiletries, (shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, deodorant) as they may be here for several weeks. Some have only packed for a couple of days. Joyce Dickerson says they would gladly accept monetary donations to help with the cost of supplies as well.

The 134th Medical Unit has been activated as well as many other units in Iowa according to Joyce Dickerson, 134th Medical Unit Family Readiness Coordinator. She reports approximately 75 soldiers in excess of our own soldiers staying at the armory in Washington that are from Fairfield and Keokuk units. Dickerson says they have been flooded out of the armory in Iowa City, and are here as a command center. The soldiers are being sent to Columbus Junction, Iowa City or wherever needed.

Anyone who would like to help can email Joyce Dickerson(thedickersons@iowatelecom.net) or donations may be dropped off at the armory across from HyVee at any time.

Governor Chet Culver has added counties to the proclaimed emergency disaster areas. The full list now includes Washington, Louisa, Jefferson, Henry, Keokuk, and Johnson Counties among others.