September 2016 Flood FAQs
Maps and information will be updated daily and posted on the City of Cedar Rapids’ website at www.cedar-rapids.org. Click the Read More button when you see the Flood Preparations Underway pop up tab as you enter the website. Information will also be shared through local media outlets (radio, TV), sent through CR News Now as text and email messages, and be available on City social media channels.
Current river levels and projections can be found on the National Weather Service website.
Flood Inundation Map
Interactive GIS Layers Map
Current river levels and projections can be found on the National Weather Service website.
Flood Inundation Map
Interactive GIS Layers Map
Watch for updates on local media stations. You can call United Way’s 2-1-1 number to receive answers to specific questions.
Volunteers efforts are being coordinated by United Way. Call 2-1-1 if you are seeking volunteer help.
Water supply should be safe with the current crest projections. Flood mitigation put in place following the flood of 2008 will protect our water and water pollution control facilities from a flood of up to 33 feet. Citizens are however encouraged to use water carefully to limit stress on the water and wastewater system.
Volunteers will be needed to help throughout this event in a variety of ways. Please go to uweci.org for flood related volunteer opportunities.
- Check the city website – www.cedar-rapids.org and click on the alert pop-up to read the most current information.
- Sign up for text and/or email alerts at www.CRNewsNow.com
- Follow local media and the City’s social media pages. There will be 10 a.m. press conferences every day from now until the event concludes.
The Treasury will be relocated to the Water Administration Building at 1111 Shaver Rd NE beginning Monday, Sept. 26. Residents can place payment in the dropbox in front of the building, or enter the front lobby for face-to-face payment. Customers will need to use the J Avenue and Shaver Road access because of area road closures.
Current open sites:
- Cedar Hills Community Church, 6455 E Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids
(This site can accommodate individuals with special needs.) -
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1340 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids
Garbage, recycling and yard waste will be collected the week of October 3.
The deadline for property tax payments has been extended by one month in Linn County. Linn County officials requested the extension and Governor Branstad has approved the request.
The new deadline for the first semiannual installment of property tax payments in Linn County is Oct. 31.
Until further notice, the Linn County Treasurer’s Office is temporarily located at the Linn County Community Services Building, 1240 26th Ave. Court SW, Cedar Rapids. Hours are Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Payments can be made in person, online or by mail. Payments made in person can be made via credit card, debit card, check or money orders (no cash payments at this time).
To pay online, visit www.IowaTaxAndTags.gov.
Cedar Rapids Transit will resume normal operations on Saturday, October 1.
The evacuation area will be lifted by Noon on Friday, September 30 for businesses and property owners to access their property for flood-recovery efforts.
The curfew will end on Friday, September 30 at 7:00 a.m.
Road closures will be lifted as soon as feasible as standing water recedes and barriers and pumps are safely removed. The bridges downtown have been inspected for safety and will be reopened as soon as Hesco barriers are removed. Road closure information will be posted at www.cedar-rapids.org. Traffic signals that were deactivated are being restored over the next few days to assist with traffic flow.
Please do not put sandbags in your collection carts. Residents looking to remove dry or wet sandbags immediately can bring them to two locations:
- Noelridge Pool parking lot, starting at 7 a.m. on Friday
- Ellis Park, estimated to start on Saturday (check social media and the website for the announcement of this site opening)
Commercial properties are responsible for collection and disposal of sandbags, and the Downtown and NewBo SSMID Districts will be partnering on sandbag removal efforts. Collection sites will be identified and communicated, and businesses can dispose of bags at no charge. Businesses are asked to keep sandbags onsite until they are taken to one of the designated collection sites. Those who have scheduled a private service for removal may leave sandbags at the curb for pickup for 24 hours.
Citizens are asked to place flood debris into four separate piles at the curb: one for drywall, carpet, and other household flood debris; one for household hazardous materials like oil-based paints and stains, automotive fluids, and cleaning supplies; one for appliances; and one for electronics. The City will collect these items for free; however, the Solid Waste & Recycling Division will not be able to determine how long collection will take until they have a better sense of the total amount of debris that will need to be collected.
Those who are not already included in an email distribution list with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance or Czech Village/NewBo Mainstreet District should visit the City's website and complete a form to receive future surveys and communications.
