Cedar Rapids is one of the cities in eastern Iowa that saw significant flash flooding from the heaving rains Sunday. City spokesperson Greg Buelow says every part of Cedar Rapids saw some kind of flash flooding as the water rushed through the streets. “Several vehicles that were parked on the side of the road actually moved down the street or up into people’s yards from the fast-moving water caused by the flash flooding,” Buelow says.
He says there were some people caught in their cars when flash flooding hit. “Still trying to determine how many people had to be rescued from vehicles. We do know there is some substantial damage to several vehicles. They were in the process of being towed,” according to Buelow. He says city crews were out removing debris last night and today are trying to repair the streets. “Several of them have some major damage to them, either from being washed out or pieces of asphalt or concrete laying in the road,” Buelow says.
Buelow says flash flooding happens quickly and he advises everyone to pay attention to the forecast. “With the ground as saturated as it is right now, this afternoon with the severe storms that are forecast, we are going to be getting more torrential rainfall — so people need to be aware,” Buelow says. Buelow says they were fortunate that there were no injuries reported.