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November 22, 2008 10:44:41 CST

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Hundreds Flee Iowa City as River Crests

Posted Jun 15, 08 7:15 PM CDT in US 

(Newser) – The Iowa River crested a foot and a half lower than expected today, but Iowa City officials still ordered hundreds of families to evacuate, the AP reports. Iowa’s governor, with 83 of his 99 counties still disaster areas, cautioned the state’s southeastern region to expect “major and serious flooding.” “We’re not passed the crisis yet,” added one university president.

Iowa City's mayor said that homecomings for evacuees may be delayed by days or even weeks until floodwaters drop and safety officials check the area. Some residents already complained about the long wait to survey the damage. “People are down on their knees, and they’re kicking them in the teeth,” one man said.

Sources: Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, The Gazette

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A statue is partially submerged outside a futon store on a flooded street in Coralville, Iowa, Sunday, June 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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A sign outside the Iowa Welcome Center is paritally submerged in flood water from the Mississippi River Sunday, June 15, 2008 in Burlington, Iowa.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
University of Iowa officials stand next to a wall of sandbags helping to keep the Iowa river out of campus buildings in Iowa City, Iowa, Sunday, June 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Many residents of Cedar Rapids were frustrated by not being allowed back in their homes after being told they earlier in the day they could return to gather belongings.   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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