July 8, 2010, 3 p.m. CDT                      

 NEWS RELEASE

The flooding waters of the Wapsipinicon River in Independence have begun to recede.  After cresting at about 9 a.m. Thursday at 15.57 feet, the river is now dropped a foot and a quarter and continues to recede.

The National Weather Service estimates the Wapsipinicon River to back below the 12-foot flood stage by mid-morning Friday and back to normal flows by Tuesday.  A website is available for the public to check on the current and predicted levels of the Wapsipinicon and can be found at water.weather/gov/ahps.

Another site to check on is www.co.buchanan.ia.us, where Buchanan County residents can subscribe free to Code Red, which is a reverse call out system that will alert subscribers to severe weather, including flash flooding.

Information on cleaning up following a flood is available at the sanitarian’s office at the Buchanan County Courthouse in Independence.  Rural wells that have been contaminated by floodwaters need to be shock chlorinated and then tested before using that water for consumption.  A free well test is available by contacting the sanitarian’s office at 319-334-2873.

Residents are asked to contact Buchanan County Emergency Management Director Rick Wulfekuhle at 319-334-6411 if they have sustained any large damages due to the flooding.