Midwest - Attn.:trvlers to Eastern Iowa/I-80

Due to the tremdous flooding problems in Eastern Iowa, especially the hard-hit communities along the Cedar River (Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City and others) it would be wise to check ahead if you are driving/flying to the area. Currently much of the downtown areas are flooded and in many cases mandatory evacuation. If you have business in the area call ahead to see if they are open. Even if they are expect some delays as there are only 2 roads open crossing over the Cedar River and one I-380 is being requested that non-essential avoid crossing. The flooding there for example goes back as far as 10 city blocks. Thew only way other bridge is US 30 to the Southeast of Cedar Rapids and then North on Iowa 13. As u can imagine traffic will be considerable. NOW THE BAD NEWS:, as if that wasn't enough: Iowa DOT is planning on CLOSING I 80 over the Cedar River Fri afternoon the 13th due to water. The detour will folow Iowa 38 up thur Tipton, then West on US 30, on this same bridge of only 2 crossing river in Cedar Rapids. 38 and US 30 are 2-lane roads. US 30 becomes 4-lane about 4 miles east of the Cedar River. EXPECT A LOT OF TRUCK TRAFFIC ON THESE DETOURS as I-80 is major artery across the country. you could check Iowa DOT, wmtradio, KCRG, and Cedar Rapids web sites for more info- sorry I don't have at moment. I felt expediency was important. EXPECT SEVERAL MILES BACKUPS ON I-80 as both East and West-bound traffic will be forced to exit starting tomorrow afternoon.

Things are not necessarily much better in many parts of WI. Although airports are open at this time, it is advised that you check ahead before traveling, particularly by car.

Ia DOT as of 1PM reopended 380-closed for a while this morning. But the left lane is open only to emergency vehicles both ways. With reference to Gbadger's post I should note that Des Moines also has flooding problems/road closures. Definately check ahead and try to avoid affected areas if possible.

I80 closure is beginning tonite the 12th at 8PM. If you enter the state and want to go beyond Cedar Rapids the new detour takes u up US 61 to Dubuque, then US 20 west to Waterloo, then south on I-380 to I-80, a detour of about 110 miles. local traffic will be allowed both east and westbound up to exits prior to Cedar River. At this moment westbound traffic can access Cedar Rapids via us 30, however the eastbound lanes of this are closed due to flooding in areas. All hotels in the CR/IA City corridor are full or filling up w/displaced local flood victims. Unless u have biz in Iowa nxt few days and as I had stated earlier stay away.

the detour now is:to I35 North @ Des Moines to US 20 to Dubuque then South on US 61 to I 80 @ Davenport for those I 80 trvlrs. Local traffic will be allowed up to exit up to 266/267 depending on which direction u come from. a toll-free# on road closures conditions has been set up: 866-452-8510. Also www.511ia.org. Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, one of 2, has transferred patients to St. Lukes in town due to flooding water, which was reported to be up to waist high on volunteers sand bagging near some of the entrances, 10 blocks away from the river at 1:30 Friday morning 13th. We had another round of severe weather go thru here in Dewitt last nite around 10PM, hopefully we will get a break now.

US 30 east of Cedar Rapids now closed; only way into CR from the East is north on hodgepodge of state/ county roads via Maquoleta and stae 64, however DOT not recommending travel on roads in Jones county which u would have to travel on. Prob best way is via 151 via DBQ. Also saw news report that levee breach in Ia City near new Marriott. Marriott was built up from that flood plain and lowest part is still 6 feet above flood waters.

Flights are still going out of CID right now. I was supposed to depart at 6pm tonight but figured that was a bad idea.

At least UA and AA have posted travel advisories and are allowing rescheduling.

UA: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52746,00.html
AA: http://www.aa.com/aa/viewPromotionDetails.do?itemDescriptor=PromotionCo ntent&fileName=001_travelNotices.xml&anchorLocation=index.jsp&url=%2Faa%2FviewPromotionDetails.do%3FitemDescript or%3DPromotionContent%26fileName%3D001_travelNotic es.xml&_locale=en_US&repositoryName=PromotionContentRepository&repositoryId=16018133

Good luck, all. I just came from an afternoon of sandbagging and moving UI books, and I was delighted to see I had the option to switch my departure and return airport tomorrow to DSM. From the IC to CID would be quite a challenge tomorrow, I believe.

The high-res road closure site: http://hb.511ia.org/main.jsf

yes it would be a challenge as they also closed I380 down by the reseviour, making the only way you could get to the airport from Iowa city officially is West via Des Moines/Waterloo route. Fadeforward: I hope and pray this water doen't wreak havoc there in IC as in CR but it doesn't look good. 438 blocks under water in cedar rapids and facing mandatory water shutdown to save the only remaining water plant if consumption doesn't fall.

clarification: 438 blocks in downtown area under water over 100 blocks overall in Cedar rapids. Iowa City: The Marriott will evacuate all remainng guests Sunday. By that time there may be only one bridge open across the Iowa Rvier:I80 as they will probably close the Burlington st Bridge. Radio reports it was taking 1 hour to get from one side of Iowa City to other via that bridge so when it closes more gridlock. Flood level in Iowa Cuty will reach 33 feet Tuesday some 5 feet aboce record 93 flood. Volunteers working frantically to sandbag areas of downtown. It will take a week to slowly recede once it crests. In Cr it's (Cedar Rvr) now going down since early AM 2 inches per hour, but it too will probably be week before any serioous cleanup efforts get underway. Now severe thunderstorm warning for Waterloo/Tama area this afternoon which is upstream: more problems. I was in Dubuque today /late last nite ; definately much more traffic, esp trucks. But nothing u can't handle.

us 30 reopened east of Cedar Rapids, but to local traffic only/no commercial traffic. I80 remains closed maybe open mid week depending on any additional rain/examination of road bed; I 380 may reopen end of week depending on same conditiions. Iowa City: rver crested earlier and lower than thought' huge relief but still much damage to city, U of Ia. University has postponed some registrations according to scroll on screen of local TV station- check U of IA's website. So for maybe the entire work week if you live in Ia City and work in Cedar Rapids or vice versa u are being told to drive to Des Moines then up to US20 then east to W"loo then South-a detour of -I'm guessing around 240 miles; vs 30 normally. Wow!

I80 Monday; 380 this morning. Cedar Rapids has upped their order of 500 commercial dumpsters to 800 for the cleanup. Firefighter fell thru hole in collapsed part of floor while inspecting home-pulled out- very dangerous situation that is prolonging wait for home owners getting back to their homes. Frustrations rising.

downstream now Burlington and Ft. Madison bridges over Mississippi Bridges closed, Muscatine open but options getting to/fro limited. Keokuk open only local traffic. Amtrack services cancelled due to closure of RR bridge @ Burlington. (See related thread in Amtrack forum) I see quite afew trains stopped between crossings on the Union Pacific line close to me- lots of delays for shipments and extra costs.