DAVENPORT, Iowa - The City of Davenport confirms that a HESCO river levee barrier has failed on River Drive at Pershing Avenue, and parts of downtown Davenport are flooding.
Fire Department water rescue crews have helped evacuate people from homes and cars that were swamped by flood water and abandoned.
"There are cars with windshield wipers on, cars with emergency flashers on, as if these people were in these cars at one moment, and then the next moment knowing they had to get out to save their lives." Reports Erik Maitland, Chief Meterologist at KWQC-TV 6.
The Mississippi River at Rock Island is now projected to crest within about 2 inches of the all time flood record, but with rain possible overnight, that crest could still go higher. The City is warning residents that the flooding is expected to continue to rise into the day Wednesday.
CLICK HERE for the current USGS NWS Mississippi River Flood Gauge for Rock Island, Illinois.
CLICK HERE for the current USGS NWS Mississippi River Flood Gauge for Muscatine, Iowa.
CLICK HERE for the current USGS NWS Mississippi River Flood Gauge for Burlington, Iowa.
Staff from Davenport Public Works, Fire, Police and Emergency Management is on the scene. Traffic from the Government Bridge should exit via the Moline side, 2nd Street is not accessible. Travel south of 3rd Street is not advised.
Listen to Davenport Radio WOC 1420 AM for updated flood news and weather information throughout the day and night.
Flood photos by Jim O'Hara. Evacuation boat photo KWQC-TV 6.