( This view is on Dubuque Street on the way out of Iowa City towards I80 interstate.) I am unable to generate the words to deftly describe how devastating the current flood situation is throughout Eastern Iowa. I spent my 5 memorable years of my life residing in this community and it was essential in my development as a human being.
I met some of the my best life long friends in the Iowa City area and I will love this place until I kick it. Please reference the picture in right hand corner of this blog for any doubts to my Hawkeye tailgating credentials.
Here is google map of where the flooding is taking place in Iowa City.
View Larger Map
Here is a good video of the situation in Johnson county.
There was some good news on Sunday for Iowa City as the Coralville reservoir,located upstream from the city, reached its high point and the water level is slowly decreasing. This does not necessarily mean the Iowa river has crested as other flooded streams run into the river and there is still high chance of of levees breaking because of the massive water flow pressure.(I just knocked on wood 3 times!)
At least 16 University of Iowa campus buildings have taken in water and another seven are at severe risk. The arts/theater related departments are taking the brunt of the flood with Hancher Auditorium and the newly built Museum of Art submerged deep in water.
Two million square feet of campus is affected by the flood, and half of that space has already taken on water, officials said. For perspective, the entire campus is 16 million square feet, meaning one-eighth of campus is at risk for flooding.
There is a steep incline starting about one block to the east of the Iowa Memorial Union so not all buildings in these maps are in danger but those close to the river are likely in peril.
For anyone who has ever attended, visited or most likely partied in Iowa City, these pictures will blow you away.
The above picture is the Art Museum.
Hancher Auditorium and water is estimated to be above the main performance stage
A look over the Iowa River on campus
An aerial picture of the Iowa River, the make shift sandbags wall, and the student union called IMU on the right
A view towards the east side of the river and campus.
This is an entrance into the IMU and this picture really is shocking. I actually studied at this place and maybe spent more time here than the bars up the street. Well, maybe not more but enough to get a degree!
Danforth Chappel is in serious trouble.
If the water gets above this sandbag wall, the main library might be ruined.
Volunteers trying to save Lindquist Center
The Iowa City water plant has been shut down.
Burlington Street is slowly covered in water. I can not figure out what this dude in the background is doing or wearing on his head. Weird.
The above pictures are the University's softball fields.
All these trees on both sides of the river could be under water by Monday evening.The University of Iowa has set up a flood relief fund and you can make a donation at this website.
I will have more information on Cedar Rapids and Coralville flood catashpories and Iowa City updates.
The Rez reaches high point in water
Hancher is ruined and more UI buildings in trouble
Iowans battling deadly flood waters
The Iowa student newspaper, the Daily Iowan, posted some impressive picture galleries. \
Here is the DI's latest video report.
Thanks to Gazette Online and the Des Moines Register for the pictures/links.
