Water levels are rising in northeast Iowa following several days of heavy rainfall, prompting flood warnings to be issued for some area rivers. The swollen Cedar River has forced the closure of George Wyth State Park in Waterloo-Cedar Falls.
It appears Independence will escape major flooding following the deluge of rain that left other northeast Iowa communities under water over the weekend.
Excessive rainfall in northeast Iowa overnight resulted in flash flooding that forced evacuations and left many communities and rural roads under water.
Cedar Falls city officials hope construction on a new flood levee to protect the downtown business district can begin by the end of this year or early 2018.