Heavy Rains in Midwest Flood Roads, Cause Two Deaths in Wisconsin

The river has already left its banks upstream, forcing evacuations in several communities upstream along its path through northeastern Iowa.

Authorities say heavy rain runoff and flooding from the Shell Rock River have forced home evacuations and school closures in the northern Iowa community of Greene.

MASON CITY | As much of North Iowa continues to brace for severe weather, the National Weather Service is extending flash flood warnings through at least Friday afternoon.

Just across the Mississippi River in Wisconsin, residents of Victory, a tiny community that sits at the base of a river bluff, were recovering from torrential rains, flooding and mudslides that have now been blamed for the deaths of two residents. Authorities say 53-year-old resident Michael McDonald died after his house slid onto Highway 35 on Thursday. That level is still well below the crest of 31.5 feet in 2008 and could change drastically between now and Monday.

Flood crest in Cedar Rapids is still continued to be projected at 24 feet, the Chief of the Fire Department said the only difference is the projected ramp up may happen a lot quicker than expected. But even at the lower level, street flooding was expected in several areas, including the downtown core.

Governor Terry Branstad is deploying the National Guard to respond to flooding in 13 Iowa counties and prepare for future flooding downriver.

Branstad, Orr, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Homeland Security and Emergency Management director Mark Schouten on Saturday will tour flood-impacted areas in Clarksville, Shell Rock and Cedar Rapids. Grants are available for home or auto repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing.

The floodwaters are threatening sewer lift stations, which officials say will likely cause basement flooding.

This story has been corrected to state that 7 inches of rain fell on St. Clair, not St. Cloud.