Taking a break: All Fremont County residents are invited to a flood-relief ice cream social on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Hamburg Elementary School. The event will include kid-focused activities and offer adults the opportunity to discuss flood-related matters with neighbors, friends and local officials. Attendees can also explore some of the resources available to them. The Horizons and Fremont County Iowa State University Extension Office are working with local and state organizations for the free event. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted along with cash donations to benefit Fremont County flood victims. For more information, to volunteer or make a donation, contact the Iowa State Extension office at 712-374-2351.
Sealing leak: Omaha city officials said Saturday they located the leak in an abandoned pipeline at the city's wastewater treatment plant near 13th Street and Missouri Avenue. The leak was discovered Friday, and about 100 gallons of water per minute discharged behind a new levee to protect plant facilities from rising floodwaters. Omaha mayoral spokeswoman Aida Amoura said the leak should be sealed by Sunday. Several pumps and approximately 10,000 sandbags were brought in to stem the floodwaters. No plant facilities or operations were expected to be affected by the flooding.
Sewer repairs: The City of Council Bluffs has awarded three contracts totaling nearly $1.2 million for emergency sanitary sewer repairs at 17th Street and Avenue O; 31st Street between Avenues G and H; and Avenue L between 24th and 25th Streets. Contracts were awarded to Bluffs Paving and Utility, MFT Construction and Roloff Construction. High groundwater has been blamed for the sewer breaks and collapses.
Still sandbagging: About 30 Marine Corps recruits joined the flood fight Saturday by filling more than 1,500 sandbags in Council Bluffs. Staff Sgt. Brett Armstrong, with the Marine recruiting office in Bellevue, said he brought the recruits to show them the humanitarian side of the corps. “I wanted to show the kids it's not all about combat,” he said. An estimated 150 people volunteered at the Mid-America Center, a coordinator said. On Friday, 90 volunteers and city workers filled 5,760 sandbags. At the latest count, Council Bluffs had more than 107,000 sandbags prepared, and the work continues. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to sandbag at the Mid-America Center. To participate, call 712-325-4736.
Video: Sandbag volunteers at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs on Saturday.
— World-Herald staff writer Sam Womack
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