The Perry City Hall has released the following public service announcement:
Due to the heavy rains overnight in the Perry area, several sewer main lines are running at capacity or close to capacity, causing the system to become supercharged. Perry residents may be experiencing water in their basements. After the supercharged flow decreases, the lines will begin to drain.
Perry residents should check their sump pump lines to make sure that they are not dumping into the sanitary sewer system.
The following roads are closed due to flooding:
Iowa Street from 18th Street to 22nd Street
18th Street from Iowa Street to Eastern Street
22nd Street from Willis Avenue to Iowa Street
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spokesperson Bill Gross said today large parts of the state are experiencing similar discharges following storms dumping upwards of seven inches of rain in some areas over the last 48 hours, according to the National Weather Service.
“Reports of wastewater discharges from cities in central Iowa are pouring into the DNR’s south central regional field office following heavy overnight rainfalls,” Gross said.
He said the following cities reported discharges in the 18-county area served by DNR field office 5 as of noon today: Chariton, Des Moines, Grinnell, Indianola, Melbourne, Redfield, Ogden, Waukee and West Des Moines. The field office expects more reports yet today.
Aside from the dangers of high-volume, swiftly moving waters, the DNR recommends keeping children and pets out of flooded waters for at least 48 hours after a storm, Gross said.
It may be time to start gathering the animals two by two.