Authorities in Iowa and Wisconsin have ordered curfews and encouraged evacuations as flooding from rivers and creeks has taken two lives already.
The curfew in Cedar Rapids, Iowa was set from 8 p.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday, CNN reports.
Two people died last week in flooding in Vernon County in Wisconsin, one in a mudslide and another while driving through floodwaters, according to CNN.
The flooding has taken a toll on transportation as well.
A railroad spur in Clarksville, Iowa Friday morning…failed. #Flood2016 #iawx Photo courtesy of @stevenj_k pic.twitter.com/E82PJffS2B
— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) September 24, 2016
Fire Chief of Cedar Rapids Mark English stated on Saturday morning that while evacuation is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Residents are also advised to stay out of the downtown area until the flooding subsides.
A @KWWL drone is giving us this perspective, showing East Main under water in Cedar Falls & RiverLoop flooding in Waterloo. #Flood2016 pic.twitter.com/Erx7GbOAfJ
— Jerry Gallagher KWWL (@JerryGallagher) September 24, 2016
Disaster emergencies have been declared in 13 counties. The flooding has been caused by the heavy rain which has reportedly reached 10 inches between Tuesday and Thursday.
Volunteers at local elementary schools have been used to create sandbags in order to reduce flooding from the Cedar River. The coming together of the community has provided some positivity in such a trying time for Iowan and Wisconsin residents.
The second man you see is from Fargo. He’s passing through on his way to St. Louis and decided he had a couple hours to spare. #Flood2016 pic.twitter.com/QZ9x7a81zO
— Mellaney Moore (@MellaneyMoore) September 24, 2016