DAVENPORT, Iowa — The City of Davenport has activated its flood plan, with road closures starting on Wednesday, June 26.
Public Works Director Nicole Gleason said the Mississippi River is predicted to crest at 18.5 feet on or around July 4.
The plan starts with road closures downtown. On Wednesday, River Drive will be closed between Division Street and Western Avenue and between Brady Street and Third Street.
Those closures will extend to Oneida Avenue on Sunday as the river swells past 17 feet.
"It’s a bit ahead of water over the road, because in order to set up that temporary flood barrier, our crews have to get on both sides of the flood barrier," Gleason said. "So we can’t wait all the way until 18 foot to set that temporary wall."
Credit Island, Concord Street and parts of the Riverfront Recreational Trail are also closed. Gleason said parks south of River Drive will be inaccessible by the weekend.
Construction projects on River Drive mean detour routes will be a bit different. This year, eastbound traffic will be routed along Third Street, and westbound traffic on Fourth Street.
If the crest goes beyond predictions, more of River Drive is likely to close.
"These are based on forecasts, so if the forecast changes significantly, these things could get pushed up or moved back a little bit," Gleason said.
Even with unpredictable summer storms, Gleason is confident flood measures will hold.
"We are resilient, we do have our plan, we’ve exercised our plan before, the current plan does contemplate up to a 23 foot flood," Gleason said.
She also said The Freight House, Union Station and River's Edge will all stay open. Modern Woodmen Park will continue holding games as long as people can get in and out safely.
Residents impacted at river stages 13 to 19 feet can receive sandbags from Public Works by calling their office at (563) 326-7923 from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those in rural Scott County can pick up sandbags at the Pleasant Valley Fire Station.
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel