I have a couple of items from Public Works. The first notice is regarding Locust Street and the second is a flood update. In terms of the flood, I would encourage you to remind your audiences to avoid contact with the floodwaters. When we were out and about today, we noticed individuals wading through the water at the Marquette Street boat ramp. As you know, wading through flood waters is dangerous and dirty. We highly recommend against it.
Starting today, Thursday, May 10, Locust Street will be closed between Warren and Gaines for an emergency sewer repair. The work is estimated to be completed, and the road re-opened, sometime Saturday, May 12. Motorists are advised to follow signed detour.
Flood Update Wednesday, May 9, 2018 – 2:00 PM
The current Mississippi River level is 17.21ft, and expected to crest at 17.5ft on Friday, May 11th.
Due to arriving River levels, eastbound River Dr is being detoured at Division St to 3rd St, and westbound River Dr is being detoured at 4th St to Division St. Eastbound Truck traffic will need to take River Dr to Division to Kimberly Rd due to construction and closures on various streets throughout the city, including Locust.
Staff is monitoring river levels, and will be implementing flood plan measures as appropriate to changing conditions.
The following flood measures have been or will be implemented based on current and predicted conditions.
Roads
· S Concord is closed between Utah and River Dr. Wapello and Miller are closed between Railroad Ave and S Concord.
· Beiderbecke will be fully closed by this afternoon.
· Gaines St is closed south of River Dr.
· River Dr as noted above. In addition, Myrtle, Perry, Pershing and Iowa are closed south of 2nd St. Additional north/south streets south of 2nd St may become closed tomorrow, Thursday, May 10th.
Recreation
· Credit Island is closed.
· The riverfront recreational trail between Credit Island and LeClaire Park is closed due to water over the road.
· Water is impacting LeClaire Park.
· The boat docks at Marquette Landing have been removed.
Facilities
· Access to the Compost Facility, 2707 Railroad Ave, is available via Rockingham Rd/Hwy 22 to Wapello to Railroad Ave.
· Modern Woodmen Park remains open. Appropriate flood control measures have been placed. Visitors should park in the Florian Keen Parking Lot.
· The River’s Edge, the Freight House and Freight House Farmer’s Market, and Union Station will remain open for business.
Events
· There are no upcoming events that will be impacted.
Other Measures
· Pumps have been or will be set, and appropriate gates closed.
We plan to issue another flood update on Friday, May 11th, as the river begins to crest.
Please be reminded not to: play, wade, walk, bike or drive through floodwater. Flood currents can present hazardous conditions, not to mention the hidden dangers that can lie within the floodwater. It can take just 12 inches of water to float a car, and 6 inches to knock you off your feet. Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
