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Iowa Flood Tide Turns Noxious

Mix of sewage and chemicals poses danger to residents

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 17, 2008 7:48 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Iowa floodwaters have become a toxic mess of sewage, chemicals, diesel, and animal carcasses, the AP reports, pushing some Iowans attempting to salvage possessions to update tetanus shots. "It bothers me, with everything that's in the water," said one resident. "I probably won't keep anything." Meanwhile, some Iowa towns prepared for more flooding, piling sandbags on 27 levees that could overflow along the Mississippi River.

“It is very, very wise to stay out of it. It's as dangerous as anything,” said an emergency official. “If you drink this water and live, tell me about it. You have no idea.”

From left, Logan Lanz, Troy Massner, Dave Lanz and Jerry Edle bring a propane tank in from a flooded Iowa cornfield in Oakville, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008.
From left, Logan Lanz, Troy Massner, Dave Lanz and Jerry Edle bring a propane tank in from a flooded Iowa cornfield in Oakville, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
A fake shark's fin, set afloat by a local businessman whose store basement was flooding, drifts along a flooded street as city employees discuss sand bagging efforts Monday in Burlington, Iowa.
A fake shark's fin, set afloat by a local businessman whose store basement was flooding, drifts along a flooded street as city employees discuss sand bagging efforts Monday in Burlington, Iowa.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
People join in the sandbagging efforts at the Apostolic Church in Oakville, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008. Though their homes are already flooded, they are working to help out those downriver.
People join in the sandbagging efforts at the Apostolic Church in Oakville, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008. Though their homes are already flooded, they are working to help out those downriver.   (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
A sign warns of raw sewage in flood waters pouring into the streets of the business district along the Mississippi River Monday, June 16, 2008 in Burlington, Iowa.
A sign warns of raw sewage in flood waters pouring into the streets of the business district along the Mississippi River Monday, June 16, 2008 in Burlington, Iowa.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Residents come to shore with a dog they said they found in a tree in the flooded cornfields in Oakville, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008.
Residents come to shore with a dog they said they found in a tree in the flooded cornfields in Oakville, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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Two dozen levees could overflow in Iowa, Miss.
CNN

Iowa floods could further boost food costs
Chicago Tribune

Bush to visit flooded Midwest
Gazette (Cedar Rapids)

Science • US

 
Iowa • Mississippi River • sewage • levees • Midwest floods

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