News
Water... fun! While some fight flood, many area residents enjoy pool
One of the ironies of Iowa weather: On a perfect day for going to the pool, scores of area residents were involved in working against, not playing in, the water.
But for many area children (along with some parents and, of course, the lifeguards), Friday was a great day to visit the pool, where being "up to here" in water is a good thing. Flood update: River crest of 20.8 feet expected Saturday evening
Volunteers are still needed for sandbagging around the Vinton Fire Station and the VMEU facilities along Second Street near the Cedar River.
The most recent prediction from the National Weather Service has the Cedar River cresting at 20.8 feet at 7 p.m. Saturday.
But Benton County EMA Director Scott Hansen said the river will rise up to 3 more feet today, based on the increase in reported water levels in Waterloo and other places north of Vinton.
Flood may close Highway 150 Saturday morning, says EMA Director
Benton County Emergency Management Agency Director Scott Hansen said that it is likely that when the Cedar River level in Vinton reaches 19.5 to 20 feet, the Iowa DOT is likely to close the Highway 150 bridge that leads into Vinton from the north.
There is a storm drain that at 19.5 to 20 feet will begin to back up and flood First Avenue south of the bridge.
NCCC marks 5th year in Vinton with same way it began: Flood aid
The first group of AmeriCorps NCCC team leaders arrived in June 2008 -- the same day as the infamous historical flood.In addition to helping with sandbagging and other duties, a group of those first NCCC team leaders in their now-well-known dark green shirts with the "A" on the sleeve and chest helped run a shelter for those who had been displaced from their homes. Food For Sandbaggers Needed!
Many people throughout the community have been hard at work for the past 24 hours to fill sandbags and prepare for high waters on the horizon.
As many of you know, sandbagging is hard work and makes a person hungry. If you are interested in donating food to feed those helping to stop the rising water, please drop it off at the Fire Station today at Noon (or thereabouts).
Found Dog in rural Blairstown
Found rural Blairstown area: this nice boy we're calling Ned. Please call the shelter at 319/472-4623 or email vintonshelter@yahoo.com to find out how to reclaim or if you know where he belongs.
Thank you. Self-Serve Sandbagging: City, County offer sites
Due to the rising Cedar River and local creeks with the prospect of more rain later today, the City of Vinton is stepping up local efforts to prepare for flooding. Later this morning, city officials will be evaluating and preparing to install HESCO barriers around the Vinton Fire Department and Vinton Municipal Electric Utility, should that become necessary.
20.7 feet: Flood forecast inspires sand-bagging of VFD, VMEU
An hour after the National Weather Service web site indicated that the Cedar River had crested Thursday morning at 17 feet, a revised prediction of a 19.4 foot crest by Saturday has local officials putting out the sand barriers around the fire station and the Vinton Municipal Electrical Utility (VMEU) buildings.
Later on Thursday, the NWS had increased that forecast to 20. Middle School 3rd Trimester Honor Roll
Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School students were honored at an end of the year assembly for achieving the Honor roll. Students must maintain a 3.5 to 4.0 GPA average to be on the “A” honor roll and 3.0 to 3.49 to be on the “B” honor roll.
The following students achieved the “A” honor roll:
8th Grade: Connor Bendull, Kailie Berry, Emily Blake, Emily Dearden, Halie Engler, Nicole Kalina, Caitlyn Martin, Sidney Sanders, Grace Shultis, Owen Sloop, Cole Smith, and Jamie Thompson earned 4.
Flooding damages parks, covers roads -- but no major property damage reported
With the Cedar River at its crest of around 17 feet, area residents and emergency personnel spent the morning carefully watching, prepared to take more action if the flood forecast worsens.
After several areas were affected by flash flooding Wednesday, many residents were on clean-up duty. Among the areas most affecte by rain-swollen creeks was Rodgers Park.