Maquoketa prepares for ‘worst-case scenario’ – Quad City Times
UPDATED 4 P.M.: MAQUOKETA, Iowa — Jackson County Emergency Management Coordinator Lyn Medinger said this afternoon that he is preparing for projected flooding on the Maquoketa River that could be 4 feet higher than the last flood in 2002. Medinger said they are working on “the worst-case scenario.” Medinger said he’s been told the dam at Lake Delhi “is totally gone.” He said the Maquoketa River could hit as high as 38 feet sometime after 6 p.m. today. In 2002, the flood was at 34 feet. The National Weather Service’s prediction as of this afternoon was a 34.8-foot crest on Sunday. “So if you were flooded in 2002, you will likely be flooded this time,” Medinger said. Some residents along Grove Street near the Maquoketa River are moving items out of their homes, he said. The low-lying areas near the river may see high water. The rest of the city is not likely to be affected and there are not a lot of homes in that area. Volunteers are putting sand into bags to protect the city’s infrastructure. “We are using the bags for the city’s wastewater treatment plant, Maquoketa Municipal Electric Utility and Public Works Department,” Medinger said. More volunteers are needed at the Public Works Department. Medinger said he has sent for 5,000 more bags from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Because of heavy rains Friday, some county roads are closed. The Jackson County Engineer’s Office said 188th Street in Farmer’s Creek Township Sections 4, 5 and 6 are closed because of water over the roads. Davison Bottoms Road from 212th Avenue to 91st Street also is closed. Spruce Creek Park campgrounds, north of Maquoketa, has closed because of high water on the Mississippi River. EARLIER STORY: MAQUOKETA, Iowa — Maquoketa residents are being asked to conserve water and wastewater today in anticipation of flooding on the Maquoketa River. The Lake Delhi dam has broken, sending high water down the river. Maquoketa Police Chief Brad Koranda estimates the flooding will hit Maquoketa at about 6 p.m. Todd Allen of Alliant Water Resources, manager of the city’s water and wastewater treatment plant, said he is asking residents to conserve or reduce their use of water and wastewater. The plant is at the north edge of Maquoketa along the river. Allen said when the river gets high, the plant will take on water. He said they have sandbags around the plant in anticipation of the estimated 38 feet of water coming down the river. The National Weather Service now forecasts a crest of 34 feet on Sunday. He said the conservation practices will be in effect until further notice. Volunteers are at the city’s Public Works Department now filling sandbags for the area. Jackson County volunteer firefighters from several communities are assisting with the sand-bagging operation. — Sheri Melvold EARLIER STORY: MAQUOKETA, Iowa — Sandbagging operations will begin at 12:30 p.m. today at the street department behind the Maquoketa Municipal Electric Utility plant. Jackson County Emergency Management Coordinator Lyn Medinger said crews are asked to wear study shoes, bring safety glasses and gloves to help with the sandbagging. Volunteers can park in the parking lots at the ballfield that are not flooding and walk to the street department. Also, the North American Hydro Electric Dam on the Maquoketa River is opening its gates because of the water upriver. Officials say they don’t expect the river to get out of its banks at this time because of opening the gates. EARLIER STORY: MAQUOKETA, Iowa — The Maquoketa River near Maquoketa is expected to see 38 feet of water sometime today after the dam at Lake Delhi broke Saturday morning. It will result in some flooding of low-lying areas in the city. Maquoketa Police Chief Brad Koranda said that amount of water will set a record for Maquoketa. The record is 35 feet, The chief said his reserve officers are alerting residents who live near the city’s ballfields, along Pershing Road and north of Apple Street to make preparations for high water. He anticipates the water to arrive in Maquoketa between 6 and 7 p.m. today.
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Maquoketa prepares for ‘worst-case scenario’ – Quad City Times