Heavy rains overnight are translating to flash flooding across many parts of Iowa. In Cedar Falls, Fire Chief Steve Mitchell says the situation is improving, but city officials are still concerned about an area near the University of Northern Iowa campus and the northern part of town known as North Cedar. Flood waters are falling but they’re still concerned about street flooding in several areas and basement flooding.

Mitchell says the worst of the flooding hit different areas of the city between 3 and 5 A.M., catching some people off guard. He says five or six people were rescued from their cars early today and the fire station itself was threatened.

One of the worst hit areas is north of Cedar Falls in Bremer County, where five schools districts canceled classes today because of flooding. Sheriff Dewey Hildebrandt says several rural roads are closed. Several roads are being closed where water has washed them out. In Denver, a rising creek has cut off access to two of the city’s four main entrances and Hildebrandt says the flooding forced some people from their homes. About a dozen people were evacuated to an emergency shelter at city hall.

Hildebrandt says the city of Sumner also is experiencing extensive flooding. Municipal buildings in Sumner have been evacuated and many roads are washed out. Hildebrandt says it’s too early to tell if any of the rural roads closed by flooding have been washed out

According to Hildebrandt, Bremer County got a substantial amount in a short amount of time, perhaps four to six inches. Flash Flood Warnings and Flood Warnings are in effect for around 40 counties in Iowa.