September 26, 2016: Thousands residents of Cedar Rapids have left their homes Sunday as floodwaters worsened in the area. Officials have asked to evacuate those living in about 5,000 downtown homes near the river.
According to the National Weather Service, flood warning is still in effect for the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids until Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service expects the Cedar River to crest at 23 feet. If that crest comes to bear, this will be the second worst flood in Cedar Rapids history.
Earlier on July 13, 2008, the Cedar River crested at 31.12 feet.
The Iowa flood of 2008 caused property damage worth at least $64 billion. Cedar Rapids, Iowa was one of the hardest hit area during the floods of 2008.
The Cedar Rapids school district have cancelled classes through Wednesday because of the recent floods.
Cedar Rapids Fire Chief Mark English have urged people in hundreds of homes and businesses near the Cedar River to plan to evacuate by 8 p.m. Sunday in preparation for the expected flooding.
Flooding has already claimed two lives this week in western Wisconsin's Vernon County.