The Cedar River’s Rise Will Be Fast

This morning, the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids is still under the 10-foot flood stage but when it begins to go up, it will happen very fast.

[UPDATED Sunday 7:45 p.m.] The Cedar River officially surpassed flood stage (12 feet) early in the afternoon Sunday, September 25. It's expected to be just short of major flood stage (16.0 feet) by 1 a.m. Monday. In the 24-hour period from 1 a.m. Monday through 1 a.m. Tuesday, the rapid rise will continue. During that time it's expected to go from 15.9 to 22.5 feet. The forecast crest has been moved back to 7 a.m. Tuesday, September 27 and lowered to 23.0 feet. The river is expected to be above the 12-foot flood stage until the afternoon of Saturday, October 1.

Wherever the Cedar River peaks in Cedar Rapids, it will be the second-highest level in history, dating to 1851. In the meantime, the city and its citizens continue to prepare, support each another, and say prayers. Lots of them.