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Davenport, Scott County Continue Helping Flood Victims

People who live and work along East 2nd Street in downtown Davenport are dealing with high water in their buildings after Tuesday afternoon's levee breach.

Michelle O'Neill reports the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities may tie the record crest set during the Great Flood of 1993.Radio story

Davenport Public Works Director, Nicole Gleason, says residents and businesses had about one hour warning before the temporary levee failed. City employees made and distributed sandbags throughout the night and continued those efforts today.

MidAmerican Energy turned off electricity and gas to the homes and businesses affected by the breach. That's roughly from Government Bridge to Perry and Brady streets including the Peterson Paper building, Front Street Brewery, and the Bucktown Center.

Dave Donovan, head of the Scott County Emergency Management Agency, says three people stayed overnight at a Red Cross shelter set up at a Davenport school. About 30 were evacuated from their homes on Tuesday. He emphasized that according to the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities, the high water and threat of flooding will continue for up to 30 days.

In about a week, Donovan and his staff plan to set up a one-stop shop for residents and businesses to apply for flood assistance. The county and city are working with many nonprofits, companies, and other governments who've offered to help with flood response and recovery.

Since 1993, many buildings on and near Davenport's riverfront have been moved or improved to be more resistant to flooding. 

Credit https://bit.ly/2NOq27Z / Quad Cities National Weather Service
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Quad Cities National Weather Service

This year, the Mississippi River flood in the Quad Cities has already broken records for number of days the water has been at or above major flood stage at 39 days (as of today, 5/1/2019).

It's forecast to crest 7.4 feet over flood stage today.

That's only a few of inches lower than the all-time highest crest of 7.6 feet in July, 1993.

May 1st, 2019 National Weat... by on Scribd

Pershing Avenue in downtown Davenport
https://www.weather.gov/dvn/summary_04302019 / National Weather Service of the Quad Cities, Photo courtesy Steve Toft QC Drone
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National Weather Service of the Quad Cities, Photo courtesy Steve Toft QC Drone
Pershing Avenue in downtown Davenport
Map of downtown Davenport (eastern portion) with graphic overlay showing where the water has encroached
https://www.weather.gov/images/dvn/Past_Events/2019/Flood_Pic/Davenport_22ft_GIS.PNG / National Weather Service of the Quad Cities
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National Weather Service of the Quad Cities
Map of downtown Davenport (eastern portion) with graphic overlay showing where the water has encroached
Map of downtown Davenport (western portion) with graphic overlay showing where the water has encroached
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Map of downtown Davenport (western portion) with graphic overlay showing where the water has encroached

Copyright 2019 WVIK, Quad Cities NPR

Officially, Michelle's title is WVIK News Editor which really just means she wears many hats, doing everything there is to do in the newsroom and around the radio station. She's a multimedia journalist and serves as Assignment Editor, reporter, radio news producer, copy editor, announcer, news anchor/host, and photographer. She also writes and produces content for WVIK.org and social media. In recent broadcast journalism contests, Michelle's work contributed to WVIK winning various awards for excellence in both Illinois and Iowa. Tweets by MichelleONeilll