Ames, Iowa Flooding Situation Getting Worse

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DES MOINES (GaeaTimes.com)- The Ames, Iowa flood on Wednesday has claimed the life of a 16-year-old girl who died when floodwater swept three cars off a road near Des Moines. Widespread flooding has struck Ames, Iowa after three nights of continuous rainfall. Hundreds of Iowa residents had to evacuate their homes early on Wednesday. The weather service meteorologist Jim Lee had said that the flooding was triggered by the recent storms. Early on Wednesday, Iowa’s emergency management director for Polk County has mentioned to media sources that the emergency crew had found 10 of 11 people whose cars were washed away by the floodwater. The people found were clinging on to logs and trees. Four of them were taken to hospital for medical attention.

The flooding took a worse turn on Wednesday as the water level of the rivers and creeks rose by 2 to 4 inches on central and eastern Iowa. The National Weather Service mentioned that some parts have had 6 inches of rainfall. Hundreds of Iowa residents had to evacuate their homes as floodwater started rising fast. Adding to the present crisis was the shutdown of the Ames Water Plant by the City Officials on Tuesday afternoon which left around 55,000 city residents without drinking water.

The City officials mentioned to media sources that the Water Plant was shut down by the crew after the water main under the Squaw Creek gave way. The break drained the Ames water tower and led to a drop in the water distribution system of the city. The officials also feared a possibility of contamination of the drinking water and thus closed the system. Although water is still available at some homes and business establishments, Officials instructed the residents to boil the water thoroughly before consumption.