Communities across the QCA are bracing for spring flooding

MOLINE, Ill., DAVENPORT, Iowa and MUSCATINE, Iowa (KWQC) – Communities across the QCA are working quickly to prepare their downtowns for spring flooding as Mississippi River levels rise steadily each day.

As of Friday afternoon, the Mississippi River in the Quad-Cities, downtown Davenport, is at 15.8 feet and the normal flood stage is 16 feet, according to the National Weather Service. The river level is expected to reach 19.6 feet by April 28.

In Davenport, flood strategy plans include the city’s public works department building Hesco flood barriers.

In Rock Island, at Schweibert Park, temporary food panels will be erected along the bike path, and water hoses will be installed.

Rock Island Public Works officials say they have already closed Sunset Drive from 31st Avenue to the park shelter.

Downstream in Muscatine, the river is also rising and is expected to reach 25 feet, according to the National Weather Service.

For now, local authorities in Muscatine say they are waiting and monitoring the situation.

“We haven’t locked anything in yet,” said Brian Steenman, Muscatine’s public works director. “We may lose some of the river bank this week, maybe Sunday. So as we get closer, on Monday and Tuesday, we’ll be closing one of our waterways closer to the river bank.”

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