WAPELLO, Iowa — Water from the Iowa River had reached the girders of the Wapello bridge early Friday morning and the bridge was closed to all traffic.

“Stay the hell off of Highway 99,” was the warning from Sheriff Curt Braby.

Braby said local officials were waiting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to arrive and assess an imminent breach of the levee.

In the meantime, Braby said “The Bottoms,” an area from Wapello to the bluffs overlooking the Iowa River, had pretty much been evacuated.

At about 8 a.m., the levee broke and water was soon pouring over Highway 99 east of Wapello. The water level in the river lowered by about a foot. Citations were issued to those driving around barricades.

Sandbagging efforts in Wapello came to halt Friday morning because the sudden rise in the water level made it too dangerous to allow workers on the site. However, later in the day, sandbags were being filled, to have on hand when needed, according to a spokesperson at the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.

At about 3 p.m., another Louisa County Code Red Alert was issued, calling for a mandatory evacuation of all areas north of the Hawkeye-Dolby Diversion Ditch, including the Oakville Bottoms. All residents are to be clear of the area by 8 a.m. Monday, June 16. They should leave white paper on their doors to let emergency personnel know that the house has been vacated. The evacuation is effective until the water returns to a safe level. The message also said the Iowa National Guard has been requested to help.

According to the National Weather Service, water in the Iowa River reached 1993 records early Friday morning.

Flood stage at Wapello is 20.3 feet. The river was at 33.2 feet Friday afternoon. Predictions are for it to reach 35.4 feet Monday.

The excitement wasn’t all in southeast Louisa County. At about 11:10 a.m., a Code Red alert warned Fredonia residents to conserve water because the city sewer had shut down. Residents were told to monitor their basements for sewer back ups and to contact city hall if they needed sandbags. Letts area residents were warned that their electricity might be cut off and response time to emergency calls could be slow because of road conditions.

Columbus Junction flood stage is 19 feet. The Iowa River was at 28.59 Friday afternoon. Predictions are forecasted for the water to reach 33.9 feet on Monday.

Volunteers are being sought in Columbus Junction to help fill sandbags.

Reporter contact information

Connie Street: 305-280-8392

ckcasey@louisacomm.net