The National Weather Service has changed its crest forecast for the Mississippi River in McGregor. The river was supposed to crest at 23-point-seven feet, but officials say the river won’t reach its peak until tomorrow. The crest is now predicted at 24 feet, nearly eight feet over flood stage. The river is already cresting in Lansing at 19-point-eight feet — flood stage is 18 feet. Several dozen Iowa Army National Guard troops who’ve been helping fight flooding in eastern Iowa are being relieved of their duties today. About 50 soldiers assigned to units in Clinton and Cedar Rapids are being rotated out to perform their regular monthly training duties. The Guard plans to rotate in troops from Ottumwa to replace the departing soldiers who are helping with security, water pumping and sandbagging.
