MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine closed the flood wall located on 2nd Street at Mad Creek Wednesday (March 27) afternoon with a widespread rain event forecasted Thursday through Saturday with 1-2 inches of rain expected.
The Mississippi River reached 20.73 feet Monday evening and was forecasted to hover around the 20.5 feet mark for the rest of the week before dropping to around 20 feet over the weekend and then rise again to 20.9 feet by April 3. However, a widespread 1-2 inch rainfall event is possible Thursday through Saturday with renewed or potentially higher flooding possible depending on where and how much rain falls. The heaviest rainfall is expected along and south of Interstate 80.
Structure #2 (flood gate on 2nd Street at Mad Creek) was closed at 2 p.m. Wednesday (March 27) due to the potential for higher river levels.
The National Weather Service in Davenport noted in their March 26 situation report that locations on the Mississippi River south of the Quad Cities are currently observing a crest. Additional rises will happen in the coming weeks and will likely be higher than what has been observed so far this spring. The Mississippi River will likely remain high and above flood stage into May. Peak crests are expected to occur from mid to late April.
The highest confidence for peak crests occurring is between April 8 and April 18 based on snowmelt with consideration of precipitation over the next two weeks.
The current level is 20.53 feet.
Staff from the Department of Public Works are monitoring river levels and will implement flood response procedures as needed.
Roads (Downtown Muscatine Detour Map)
- Mississippi Drive is closed between Mulberry Avenue and Iowa Avenue.
- 2nd Street closed at Mad Creek.
- River Road is closed from Cannon Avenue to Sherman Street.
Recreation
- Riverside Park is closed.
- Running River Trail System is closed between Cannon Street and Sherman Street, and portions through Riverside Park.
Facilities
- The floodwall at Mulberry and Mississippi Drive (Structure #1) has been installed.
- The floodwall at 2nd Street and Mad Creek (Structure #2) has been moved into place.
Events
- No events have been impacted at this time.
Other Measures
Pumps have been set, and appropriate gates closed in various low-lying areas of the city.
Sandbags
The City of Muscatine will provide empty sandbags to residents of Muscatine upon request. It will be the responsibility of residents / business owners to obtain their own sand and fill the sandbags. Empty sandbags can be picked up 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Department of Public Works, 1459 Washington Street, Muscatine.
Additional Information
Iowa 2019 flooding www.floods.2019.iowa.gov
Severe Weather Awareness Week and links to local NWS websites www.beready.iowa.gov
National Weather Service – Quad Cities www.weather.gov/dvn/