Missouri River Breaches Levee in Western Iowa

Workers fill sandbags that will be used on levees holding back rising flood waters from the nearby Missouri River, Wednesday, June 15, 2011, in Hamburg, Iowa. Overnight storms flooded some southeast Iowa roads, stranding cars in floodwaters. But the National Weather Service says the water is beginning to recede on some city streets in Ottumwa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Tools

By Belinda Yeung

Story Created: Jun 25, 2011 at 1:27 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 9, 2012 at 2:57 PM CDT

MISSOURI VALLEY, Iowa (AP) — Residents near a levee breach in Harrison County, Iowa, are being urged to leave their homes.

Kim Crispin in the Harrison County emergency manager's office says the breach just south of U.S. Highway 30 near Missouri Valley was reported about 8 a.m. Saturday.

She says deputies have contacted residents at 18 homes and advised them to leave as the Missouri River spills from the levee. No mandatory evacuations were ordered.

The Iowa Department of Transportation says U.S. Highway 30 between Missouri Valley and Blair, Neb., remains open.

The Missouri River is rising because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is increasing the amount of water it releases from upstream reservoirs to deal with heavy rains and snowpack. The river is expected to remain high into fall.

Next Article Made in Eastern Iowa: Premier Guitar and Banno

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.