I can surely say that we don't need anymore rain. We have more than enough and it has caused devastation to counties surrounding where I live. In Cedar Rapids the river rose and has flooded the downtown area causing several thousand people to evacuate and many homes damaged. In Iowa City,Columbus Junction,Fort Madison,Burlington,Ottumwa,Douds and other areas people are waiting for the crest expected in the next couple days with hopes that the water will fall fast. In 1993 I did not live here but they say that flood was a record breaker well, this is going to top that. The Mississippi in Burlington is expected to crest on Wednesday,June 18 at 25.8. The flood stage is 15 feet. In 1993 it rose to 25.1. Although I have not had the chance to go to Burlington yet but I have taken some pictures in the Fort Madison area and on the Skunk River ( were we camp) To view more you can go to my Flickr page( www.flickr.com/harleypass ) or type in Iowa flooding on any search engine. I expect to go to Burlington and see how close I can get for pictures on Wednesday.
Taken on the Mississippi River at Fort Madison on June 12th.
Taken on June 13th on the Skunk River at Oakland Mills Recreation Park.
Bow fishing was the thing with the waters rushing. These guys were catching Gars and Carp like crazy. We were actually watching the fish jump all over. Now Rick has got to try this bow fishing ! The semi is there to help move out the stuff from the restaurant ( you can see it vaguely in the picture with all the people standing around) The picture with what looks like boards floating is the picnic tables in this area. This is down river about a mile or two from where we camp.
Taken on the Mississippi River at Fort Madison on June 12th.
Taken on June 13th on the Skunk River at Oakland Mills Recreation Park.
Bow fishing was the thing with the waters rushing. These guys were catching Gars and Carp like crazy. We were actually watching the fish jump all over. Now Rick has got to try this bow fishing ! The semi is there to help move out the stuff from the restaurant ( you can see it vaguely in the picture with all the people standing around) The picture with what looks like boards floating is the picnic tables in this area. This is down river about a mile or two from where we camp.
Taken June 13 th on Skunk River at Ketchum Bridge ( were we camp) The pavilion that Ron & Keppy built and use is almost under water. You can barley see the roof. Most everyone got their campers out before the water rose.
Taken on June 14 th on the Mississippi at Fort Madison. ( notice the rise in the water levels)
Taken on June 14 th on the Skunk River at Oakland Mills Recreation Park ( notice the rise in the water levels) Rick & Louie decided to take advantage of some of the fishing. After watching people yesterday they went and bought a reel for their bows. I didn't get any pictures of them actually catching a fish but they did catch some when they went earlier in the day ( or so they say ) Then as you can see in these pictures some people don't have a lot of sense out there swimming and in the water chest deep. They are warning people to not do that due to the swift current. Some areas are posting very large fines for anyone caught within so many feet of the water. That is smart since they are putting others peoples lives at danger by getting in.
I will be posting another update later in the week with more pictures from the same two locations as well as some of the Burlington area.
