Community Corner

Flooding Update: Flood Waters Expected to Damage 50 to 60 Structures, Damage in Potentially in Millions of Dollars

Damage assessments for the urban areas are in process.


From Johnson County

Congressman Dave Loebsack joined Johnson County officials as they reviewed the conditions of area flooding.  Because the area was spared measurable rainfall during the last 24 hours, earlier projections remained stable. 

Following the update, Johnson County Emergency Management Association Public Information Officer Terrence Neuzil summarized the reports.  

The Corps of Engineers reported that the conduit at the Coralville Reservoir will be fully opened today, resulting in outflows of 18,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).  That level will grow to 20,000 (cfs) as increased inflows to the reservoir continue.  Actual levels downstream will be higher with the addition of water from creeks and streams.

Current projections indicate that water will reach the reservoir capacity of 712 feet on June 6 reaching a peak of 712.8 feet and an outflow of 21,000 (cfs) on June 8 peaked today at 40,000 (cfs) and is not expected to increase as levels upstream are falling.

With the projected outflows, Shane Hubbard, hazard modeler for Emergency Management, estimates that approximately 50-60 structures countywide are vulnerable, with at least half of them in the unincorporated areas of Johnson County.  Preliminary damages assessment for damage in the unincorporated area is estimated at $4-5 million.  

Damage assessments for the urban areas are in process.

Representatives of the Corps of Engineers also reported that they are closely monitoring the condition of the dam and are confident in its structural integrity. A web cam of the reservoir outflow can be viewed at www.coralvillelake.com.


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