I-80 is parttially closed

[Bluzmann57]

This is the major coast to coast highway in the USA and part of it is closed because of high water on the Cedar River. Now I have crossed that bridge many times and the water really has to be high to close the Interstate. A trucker at work who runs between here and Des Moines daily told me he has to go go 110 miles out of the way because of all this crap. We load these guys first since they are indy owner operators and need to make some money by hauling and keeping costs down. Now maybe FEMA and the feds will listen to us. We're in trouble here!

[cyberswede]

1. I-380 closed for a WEEK

They're routing people who want to go from IC to CR on I-80 to DES MOINES (I-35 North_ to Highway 20 East to I-380 South to CR.
Unbelievable.

[Bluzmann57]

2. That is unbelievable

I guess it would be faster to walk from IC to CR.

[justgamma]

3. I was wondering why all the traffic on US 61

Saw a sign by Maquoketa that they are detouring Interstate 80 up 61 to Dubuque. This is just unreal.

[Hardrada]

5. If we want to get down to Davenport from Maquoketa, I think

we are just going to go over to the river road and go down that way. Might be fewer people know about it. We will avoid 61 for awhile.

God said, "If you see me you'd better run."

Abe said, "Where you want this killin' done?"

"Out there on Highway Sixty-One."

[BalancedGoat]

6. They have a bunch of the on-ramps to 20 closed here.

They're trying to keep the locals off the highway to accommodate the extra traffic from the detour. Some of the cross town streets are backed up worse than rush hour at times like 3 or 4pm. It's crazy.

I feel almost guilty sitting behind the flood-wall here while much of Iowa drowns. Best wishes to all those who are living through this disaster.

[petersjo02]

4. Speaking of FEMA...

channel 9 has been listing an 800 number for FEMA for people to call for help. Fine and dandy, except when a caller is asked what county he/she is from, he is told that county (Linn, Johnson, etc.) is not on their approved list of disaster areas. Thanks again, FEMA.

[Debi]

7. Culver has declared, but Bush has not

that's the difference - Bush is behind (again)

Here's what assistance is available and to which counties - today. I'm sure that will be changing soon.

http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=9867

[Critters2]

8. I'm hearing this may not end until some time next week.

So sad!! And where the hell is FEMA?!

I'm going to Eagle Grove for a wedding next week. I have a variety of ways I can go. Sometimes I go 80 to 61 to 20. Sometimes 80 to Grinnell (can't recall the road number) to 30 to 35, or 30 to 17. Sometimes 80 to 380 to 20 (almost certainly won't go that way this time). Sometimes 80 to 35.

I'll have to keep an eye on the IDOT site to figure out what I should do. Thanks for this heads up! :hi:

[strategery blunder]

9. FEMA is waiting for bu$h* to declare the disaster areas...

without that, their hands are tied.

Of course, guess who is in Europe right now... :banghead:

[uppityperson]

10. Can't he do that from Europe? ARGH!!!!!!!!!

[Shoelace]

11. he's busy having tea with the Queen

and touring the Windsor castle gardens. :spank:

[Debi]

12. Of course he can - but will he?

NO.

Not until he gets into his fancy helicopter and flies overhead to look (with concern) down on us little people.

[uppityperson]

13. "Oooooooooo, it looks wet." Maybe they'll get another "concerned" picture?

It will be interesting to read history books in 50 yrs.

[Debi]

14. "I get the window seat!!"

[rurallib]

15. like he cares about Iowa - we ain't got no oil or refineries.

[rurallib]

16. Muscatine is now about 200 miles from my house

used to be 15.