Independence Avoids Major Flooding [PHOTOS]
It appears Independence will escape major flooding following the deluge of rain that left other northeast Iowa communities under water over the weekend.
The National Weather Service initially predicted the Wapsipinicon River at Independence would get as high as 18.5-feet on Wednesday, but forecasters later updated their earlier statement and revised the flood warning. Officials said the river crested at 15.44-feet around 5 p.m. on Sunday (July 23, 2017) and continues to fall. While moderate flooding is occurring, they expect the level to drop below its 12-foot flood stage Tuesday morning.
Some residents and businesses in Independence prepared for major flooding over the weekend. A hardware store along Iowa Highway 150 on the south side of town had sandbags in front of its doors on Sunday. Next door, the Dairy Queen had also shut down operations and had a black tarp attached to each outside wall with sandbags surrounding the business.
Closer to downtown, water was rushing against the historic Wapsipinicon Mill and covered an adjacent city park. A nearby fast-food restaurant remained open, although part of the parking lot was flooded.
According to the National Weather Service, flooding will continue to impact low-lying areas of Independence and Littleton for the next few days.
A flood warning was also posted for Bremer County through 2 p.m. Monday (July 24).