Important: Flood Evacuation Notice

Important: Flood Evacuation Notice

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – September 25, 2016 – The safety of the community is our most important priority. The City is asking residents and businesses in the flood evacuation zone to evacuate by 8:00 p.m. Sunday, September 25.  A map of the evacuation area is available at www.cedar-rapids.org and reflects a 28-foot inundation zone. Direct notification has been conducted through the Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS) to those in the flood evacuation area.

Residents in the evacuation area are strongly encouraged to leave the area. Returning to your residence may be restricted because of the potential safety risks in the evacuation zone.  Public safety personnel are recommending that you leave immediately, but no later than 8:00 p.m. this evening.  Remaining in the evacuation area places residents at risk and will place safety personnel at risk.

Residents are reminded that 16 feet is considered major flooding, and the river is predicted to crest at 23 feet. Temporary flood control measures have been constructed in an effort to contain rising water, but are no guarantee of safety.  Evacuation notices should be taken seriously. 

Anyone around a temporary flood protection measure that fails would be in an immediate life-threatening situation.

Those evacuating their homes should take personal belongings, medications, and important documents like identification.  It is important that residents evacuating secure their property before leaving.

A curfew in evacuated neighborhoods begins at 8:00 p.m.  There will be a daily curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. in the evacuation zone until further notice. This curfew allows law enforcement the ability to stop and question people in the area. This is being implemented to help ensure safety for residents and property.

Police will be actively patrolling the area with assistance from area law enforcement agencies and the Iowa National Guard.

No one should be in the flood evacuation zone including pedestrians or bicyclists.  Law enforcement will be challenging anyone in these areas and you will be subject to arrest.  The City is taking this situation seriously and appreciates the cooperation of those that have already evacuated.

Again, this is a major flood.   Failure to evacuate will place you and your family at serious risk.