Update No. 7 - March 19, 2010 - 1:00 PM

The National Weather Service has maintained the projected crest at 20.5 feet on Saturday evening at 7:00pm.  The river is currently at a level of 19.6 feet.  This current level has now surpassed the 1997 flood as the fourth highest in recorded history.  

The City has implemented its flood prevention plan and is taking steps to protect the City up to an elevation of 21.5 feet.  The level of effort for this flood level is similar to that needed to protect to 20.5 feet and provides additional protection in the event the forecast or actual river levels change in the next 36 hours.  

The levees are providing a good level of protection.  There are small areas of seepage through areas of the levee, and the City is acting to help provide additional support in these areas.  The City is construction additional temporary levees in areas that are not protected at the 921.5 level.  Those temporary levees are located in downtown, as well as near the intersection of 2^nd Street and River Street.  

The new pumping stations – one on each side of the river – are proving to be a tremendous asset in the fight against the water.  These pumping stations essentially act as large sump pumps and automatically pump water out of the City when levels reach a high level.  Each station has the capability to pump more than 40,000 gallons per minute, which is significantly more than the City’s stationary pumps historically have been capable of handling.  

The volunteer effort to date has been tremendous.   The City has been blessed to have a good problem, in that there are far more people that have offered to volunteer than the City currently needs.  Today, over 100 volunteers will be filling and placing sandbags.  The City’s volunteer list currently exceeds over 200 people that have offered to serve.  In the event additional efforts are needed, the City will make contacts as needed to those on the list. 

The City would also like to thank its neighboring cities for their offers and commitment to help.  Today, staff and equipment from Buffalo, Independence, and Montrose have helped with levee construction and hauling of materials.  This support and assistance has been great.

Additional updates will come as new information is available.