COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (AP) - Officials say a southeast Iowa community hit hard during flooding eight years ago is ready for whatever the Iowa and Cedar rivers have in store.
The Cedar merges into the Iowa on the east side of Columbus Junction, which was swamped when floodwater burst through three levees in 2008. Since then the community has bolstered and raised them high enough to handle a 31-foot Iowa River crest.
Community development director Mallory Smith says concern remains about whether the Iowa Highway 92 bridge should be closed so flood protection can be extended. She said Thursday the closure probably won’t occur unless the water reaches 27 feet.
The National Weather Service is forecasting an Iowa River crest of 26.6 feet late Thursday night or early Friday.
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