Voluntary flood evacuations in place for two areas of Pottawattamie County

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa. (WOWT) - There aren’t many homes in the voluntary evacuation areas of Pottawattamie County, but the streets and levees are already closed in anticipation of flooding.

Cliff Anderson has lived in Council Bluffs for three decades, through the major floods of 2011 and 2019.

“We usually tie a boat up to that tree just in case the levee would break, at least we could jump in the boat and end up somewhere out there,” he said.

But this time, as officials ask residents to voluntarily evacuate, Anderson doesn’t plan on needing that boat.

“I hope not. We’ll wait and see once the water starts to come and just wait and see what happens. That’s all we can do,” said Anderson.

He believes since the water is forecasted to recede quicker than previous disastrous floods, this will be less of a problem.

The two zones in Pottawattamie County include Council Bluffs from Gifford Road east of the Missouri River to Interstate 29 and north to Interstate 880.

Officials tell 6 News these are voluntary but they also help make sure everyone is safe.

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