Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Flood Recedes, But Only 1 Well Remains

Cedar Rapids restricts water use for next few days

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 14, 2008 7:55 PM CDT

(Newser) – Floodwaters receded today after 24,000 people fled Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but only one well is uncontaminated to service the city, CNN reports. Officials say it will run down if people take showers and flush toilets over the next 3 or 4 days. "Water is still our primary concern," one said. "We're still using water at a greater rate than we're producing."

Meanwhile the Cedar River is dropping faster than expected, allowing officials to turn to recovery efforts, The Gazette reports. "We're below 29 feet now," a city engineer said. "The water is dropping at a little over two inches per hour." He added that water should fall below flood stage by next Saturday.

Floodwaters are seen Saturday, June 14, 2008, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Floodwaters are seen Saturday, June 14, 2008, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Rick Hobson, left, and Scott Reilly load a generator into Reilly's truck after using it to pump water out of Hobson's basement in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Saturday, June 14, 2008.
Rick Hobson, left, and Scott Reilly load a generator into Reilly's truck after using it to pump water out of Hobson's basement in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Saturday, June 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Cedar Rapids, today.
Cedar Rapids, today.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The last working water well serving Cedar Rapids. Even as the river slowly recedes, Cedar Rapids officials worried that the city's supply of fresh drinking water would run out.
The last working water well serving Cedar Rapids. Even as the river slowly recedes, Cedar Rapids officials worried that the city's supply of fresh drinking water would run out.   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Buildings and debris are seen floating in the Cedar River against a railroad bridge  Saturday, June 14, 2008, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Buildings and debris are seen floating in the Cedar River against a railroad bridge Saturday, June 14, 2008, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Floodwaters Engulf Iowa's 'Flood-Proof' City

Terrifying Video Captures South Korea Mudslide

Missouri River Threatens to Flood Iowa Town

Toll in China Landslide Hits 337

Bush to Visit Flood-Battered Midwest


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne