IOWA FLOODS:Undescribable Damage

The Des Moines River overpowered thousands of volunteers, outflanked countless sandbags, and forced city officials today to order voluntary evacuations by 6 p.m. for large sections of the city on both sides of the swollen waterway.Downtown Des Moines’ levee system is in danger of failure, officials conceded.The area roughly mirrors what is called the river’s “500-year flood plain,” and includes many of the streets, neighborhoods and commercial centers, including parts of downtown, that were hammered by floodwater in 1993.Bill Stowe, the city’s public works director, said officials wanted to get residents out of harm’s way in case the situation became dire.“These waters will be at or near the top of the levee within the city of Des Moines,” he said. “We believe an evacuation is necessary to protect the people and property in these areas. The risk very clearly is that the levee system is extraordinarily taxed right now and anyone in the 500-year flood plain is at risk.”City leaders did not say how long the order would be in effect, although Stowe said it could last days.Police Chief Judy Bradshaw emphasized that the evacuation is voluntary, but added:“As the circumstances change,this may become mandatory.”
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080613/NEWS/80613018
As in the days of Noah.....