I just read that Cedar Falls, Iowa is fighting a flood.
As I remember, that's where I went to pick up my NorthStar truck camper at the factory. They also make the pop up tent trailers there too.
The other day Rex said his own property is OK and that flood waters were about 2 miles from the plant. Haven't heard anything since 2 days ago. I will email him.
June 9:
I just talked to Rex on the phone. His house sits high and dry, and the Northstar factory is about 2 miles from the river, so hopefully they won't have any problems. Someplace just North of his had 10"
of rain, and all of it flows to the South. Everyone in several surrounding states-Iowa, Nebraska, etc. is hoping for some dry, sunny weather for a change, and NO TORNADOS either.
I'm in Cedar Rapids, IA, just 45 minutes south. I've been to the factory, and know the area. He should be fine.
I emailed Rex early this eve, nothing back as yet. I read the sandbags may fail tonight in Cedar Falls, flooding the city. Know anything about that, Brain? I notice 4 Boy scouts just got killed by a tornado in Iowa. That State is getting nailed big time.
I guess I should quit complaining about our mid summer winter here in the NW.
OK, I heard back from Rex. I hope admin does not mind me posting his response here, I edited out any bits not relating to the flood. Development of the amphibious version of the Northstar is still on hold, I guess.:
Paul
Got a bit of a breather here, so wanted to fill ya in.
We have survived the initial water crest of the Cedar River intact. We are two miles from the river, and it came 50 yards from our building. Road shut off right at Leversee Rd.
The amount the river rose is an all time high, and caught many people off guard. In 1993 we had a large flood and many people had water in their basements and out on their front stoops. This time it went eight feet higher, so the had water running thru their homes with their refrigerators floating.
Only one bridge open in the Cedar Falls and Waterloo Community, and only one road open to gain access to our facility. We have a few employees displaced from the flood and lost their homes.
My home sets on a pretty good size hill, but the ground is so saturated. I have tile that runs around the perimeter of the basement and tracks water to a 40-50 gallon sump pump hole. All day yesterday and today, my pump is pumping every ten seconds. In other words I am pumping out 240 gallons a minute as the water gets to the bottom perimeter of the basement. I am hoping not to have a malfunction on the sump pump running at that rate. So, I have my fingers crossed. We took three inches overnight and they took almost five North of us forty miles overnight. The weather is still not settled, and it feels like summer has not taken hold yet. Lots of twisters on the ground, and very unfortunate loss of life. Since the first of December, we have had a very difficult road weather wise with extremes in every faze and form of weather.
Life is good and we move forward, thankfully dry!!!
Forgive me, as I'm paying more attention to the Cedar Rapids issues than the Cedar Falls ones.
Last I heard, the levees in Cedar Falls are holding, though residents are expecting the worst. NWS/NOAA has revised and now state the river will crest here in Cedar Rapids 5am-10am tomorrow at 24.7ft, over twice flood stage for the Cedar River (at least in Cedar Rapids). Given the proximity, I expect Cedar Falls will crest just a few hours before we do.
Heavy rains today will prolong the crest, according the sources.
All local bridges in CR are closed, as water has topped them. I380 was open this morning, and I traveled south on it to business meetings. Words fail to describe the scene downtown. In fact, it's getting worse, so they closed the office and we are now home (there are only 2 ways to get N from the south of town, and both might close).
From Rex's point of view, I-380 has been partially closed, which may affect shipments of units and/or parts.
Iowa City will crest a bit later, and they expect it to top I-80, so it will be closed today from the I380 junction East to mile 267. That could affect everyone, as I80 is a major shipping route.
Currently, they are saying that the Cedar River is pushing as much water as the Mississippi on a low flow day. Cedar River is 1/4 the size of the Big Muddy.
....unfortunately, Indiana's very own State climatologist is predicting much more extreme weather/precipitation through at least the end of July, causing another 6-weeks of potential flooding. This does not bode well for neighboring States, too...
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