CEDAR FALLS - Predictions of heavy rains and flash flooding produced a bit of anxiety over the weekend.

Parts of Northeast Iowa saw flash flooding, hail, heavy winds and lightning. In some low-lying areas, cities and counties barricaded streets where flooding occurred, and some residents reported flooded yards and water and sewage backup in basements.

However, county and city staff keeping an eye on the weather reported that most areas fared well.

"Right now we are actually looking pretty good," said Richard Wulfekuhle, Buchanan County Emergency Management coordinator.

"Pretty much kind of putting up with Mother Nature and Iowa spring," Wulfekuhle added.

After last summer's massive flooding, some communities have focused on improved communication to give residents advanced warning of inclement weather. Communities are taking steps to mitigate future flooding.

In Cedar Falls, flash flood and runoff control have been a major focus in recent years. The weekend provided a strong test of the new work with mixed results to show.

One of the projects was improving the creek bed along the southwest branch of Dry Run Creek, where heavy rains often flooded areas of Starbeck Circle and Brookside Drive. Those efforts helped as the creek stayed within its banks during Sunday's downpours.

A very visible flood control project just north of the UNI-Dome was not quite complete by last weekend. The detention basin there helped slow water release along the university branch of Dry Run Creek, but the rains damaged some of the work and the creek.

"We're having some problems with erosion on that branch and in the detention basin," said Cedar Falls Developmental Services Director Ron Gaines.

The detention basin and wetlands project on UNI property was nearing completion, but vegetation had not yet taken hold. If grasses and plants had been up, it would have reduced the damage.

"They will have to do some repair work," Gaines said.

Overall, Gaines said those new projects fared pretty well.

Cedar Falls had a number of residents with water in their basements, but Gaines said that came mostly from water on their property and not flooded creeks.

In Butler County, Greene residents pulled through the weekend storm without major incidents or storm damage reported, City Clerk Jane Knapp said.

"So far, knock on wood, things are going fine," Knapp said.

The town and its main street experienced heavy flooding last summer. Improvements are being made along south main street, which hopefully will improve the flow of water during heavy-rain events, Knapp said. Culverts appear to be the problem, she said.

In Lamont, the city is waiting to hear if they will receive grant money to tackle several flood mitigation projects, said Mayor Alfred Hotchkiss. The Buchanan County town saw some high water over the weekend but nothing serious, the mayor reported.

Bremer County experienced some standard flooding in low-lying areas and county emergency management coordinator Kip Ladage expects to drain off, baring additional immediate rainfall.

When hazardous weather reports began over the weekend, Ladage checked river levels and online links to the National Weather Service's hydrology reports as a precaution.

"It does make you think of the previous year," Ladage said.

Bremer County has taken steps to improve communication with residents in the event of potentially hazardous weather, Ladage said. Last fall, the county implemented CodeRED, an emergency notification system. Residents can also better track river levels online for Waverly and surrounding communities through the National Weather Service's Des Moines bureau, Ladage added.

After last summer's disasters, Ladage thinks Northeast Iowans might be paying more attention to the weather.

"I think people over all just have a better awareness and take this seriously," Ladage said.

Flood warnings continued today on the west fork of the Cedar River at Finchford and Beaver Creek in New Hartford. More showers and thunderstorms are likely Wednesday afternoon through Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.