The Iowa National Guard has started releasing troops from active duty, as the crest of the Mississippi sweeps past the state. Colonel Robert King says not all will go home right away, though. He says in the Davenport area, some will remain to assist in patrolling the levees and sandbagging.King says some troops may find themselves deployed to other duty stations.About 200 troops are in Davenport, and ten are in Marquette. They’re patrolling levees and sandbagging. Colonel King says a medical-aid station set up in Davenport remains open for a while longer. Tetanus shots are a concern as soldiers work in the water, some soldiers have aches and pains from sandbagging, and some need prescriptions filled while they’re serving away from home. No major medical emergencies have been reported at the Guard’s aid station. There’s also flooding on the western side of the state along the Big Sioux River. Heavy rains in the Akron area in northwest Iowa have kept the crest at or near its Eastertime peak, according to Steve Musson with Plymouth County Emergency Management. Some lowland flooding is starting to cover Highway 48. Musson says the river is about six feet above flood stage.He’s anticipating that by tomorrow the river will be up to 24.6. The Iowa Highway 10 bridge over the Big Sioux north of Hawarden and Iowa Highway 3 at Westfield have been closed to traffic due to flooding. Musson says they’re continuing to sandbag in hopes of containing the crest. He says the river will be watched throughout the night to make sure the sandbag levees remain intact. Musson says high school students have been helping out with the sandbagging.
