March 19, 2024

Cedar Rapids to remove flood evacuation zone restrictions

CEDAR RAPIDS (AP) — Authorities say they will remove restrictions Friday on access to a precautionary flood evacuation zone that was set up in Cedar Rapids.

Parts of downtown and the western side of the city were reopened Wednesday after the Iowa National Guard moved barricades, shrinking the evacuation zone. That gave residents and business owners access to 2,500 properties, though some areas remain closed.

City officials say the rest of the areas will be reopened at noon Friday, and the zone curfew will end at 7 a.m.

Police said Thursday there had been no breaches overnight in the city’s temporary flood protection system.

National Weather Service data show that the Cedar River has dropped more than 3 feet since cresting Tuesday at its second-highest level in city history. The river is expected to return below flood stage Sunday.