(Sioux City)–In preparation for possible flooding and possible evacuations throughout the Siouxland Area, the American Red Cross has begun preparing by identifying shelter locations and assisting during sandbagging.
Red Cross volunteers will be in flood prone neighborhoods with water and snacks to assist in flood mitigation efforts along the Missouri River.
Executive Director, Tammy Lee said, “We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best during this flood event. We have supplies and volunteers on stand-by and are ready to respond when and if we are needed.”
The Red Cross will continue to monitor ongoing weather conditions with our emergency management partners to anticipate any need for sheltering. If Red Cross assistance is needed, flooded residents are urged to call 800-340-4081.
Dakota Dunes, Yankton may be affected by additional dam releases
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) Gov. Dennis Daugaard says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decision to release more water from Missouri River dams will not only cause additional problems for Pierre and Fort Pierre, but also for the downstream cities of Yankton and Dakota Dunes.
The corps has decided to boost releases from the dams above previously announced levels to deal with expected heavy rains upstream.
Levees already under construction to protect residents of low-lying areas in Pierre and Fort Pierre will now be built higher to try to protect against the higher releases.
The governor says increased releases will also cause significant flooding in Yankton and Dakota Dunes. He says people in those cities should begin to plan for an evacuation and take steps to protect themselves and their property.
Sewage being released in Missouri River in Omaha
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Untreated wastewater is being released from an Omaha water station into the Missouri River.
The city announced Sunday that it was closing isolation gates at the Monroe Street Lift Station as the river surged. The move will allow the release of some untreated wastewater.
Omaha’s Public Works department urges people to avoid wading or swimming in the river near the Veterans Memorial Bridge in south Omaha and for several miles downstream until further notice.
Officials in Nebraska and Iowa have been monitoring the swollen river. Flood gates were installed Sunday at Lewis Clark landing to keep water from seeping into downtown Omaha.
The river is expected to crest near Omaha at record levels between 30 and 35 feet in late June after more water is released from upstream reservoirs.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
