Preparations are underway in the Ottumwa area for flooding there at the end of the week. The Des Moines River is already one foot above flood stage at Ottumwa.
The Wapello and Mahaska County Sheriff’s Departments have asked residents along or near the river to evacuate. Officials n Ottumwa and Eldon have issued a plea for sandbaggers.
The Corps of Engineers will increase the outflow of water from Lake Red Rock soon, raising the Des Moines River flood stage in Ottumwa even higher.