Central Iowa Water Safe to Drink Again

Good news for those in flood ravaged Central Iowa.  The water is retreating and it is safe to drink again.

City officials announced Sunday that the order in Ames that water be boiled first had been lifted.

Ames was forced to shut down its water system Wednesday after broken water mains were discovered as a creek and river flooded large swaths of the city. By Thursday, residents were allowed to use small amounts of water for showering or flushing toilets. Crews have repaired or isolated the broken mains.

The flooding in Ames came after three nights of heavy rain caused creeks and rivers in central Iowa to swell earlier in the week.

Central Iowa Flood Update

A day after record-setting floods in parts of central Iowa, water is receding in several locations.

In Ames, the high water there is beginning to drop after slashing records Wednesday. The Skunk River crested at 26.7 feet. That's more than what the area saw in the floods of 1993.

The good news in Ames is that the water is receding. As of Wednesday night, Squaw Creek was at 14.7 feet after cresting at just over 18 feet. As of Thursday morning, it's down another foot to around 13.8 feet.

Residents in Ames, more than 56,500 people, were told Wednesday afternoon that they must boil their water before using it or use bottled water. The city's water system is considered contaminated after a water main break.

Trooper Doug Cutts told KCCI that one eastbound lane of Highway 30 is now open in Ames. He also said Interstate 35 is still closed, but crews hope to have it open again by noon. Highway 210 is still closed and Highway 69 is open once again.

Residents living in 145 apartments, 82 trailer homes, and 50 homes in Des Moines were evacuated Wednesday.

Four Mile Creek is down significantly after flooding homes and streets Wednesday.

City officials are urging other residents affected by water to get help. Residents living in 145 apartments, 82 trailer homes, and 50 homes in Des Moines were evacuated Wednesday.

Four Mile Creek is down significantly after flooding homes and streets Wednesday.

City officials are urging other residents affected by water to get help.

Residents forced to evacuate can take shelter at Hiatt Middle School. That's at 1214 East 15th Street in Des Moines.