WATERLOO - Mayor Tim Hurley said that due to rising flood waters, "a progressive and orderly" closing of downtown Waterloo businesses needs to take place.

Egress is limited, so officials request that an orderly departure from the downtown area. Downtown streets that still are open are jammed.

The downtown Waterloo bridges closed are: First Street, Park Avenue, Sixth Street, 11th Street and 18th Street.

Also, traffic is being diverted around Waterloo at the Highway 20/218 interchange. Motorists can continue west on Highway 20 to Highway 58 and proceed northbound on Highway 58 where it joins Highway 218.

There is a need for volunteers for sandbagging. People should report to the Street Department at 1601 Black Hawk Street.

Gov. Chet Culver made a stop in Cedar Falls this afternoon and said he has asked for a presidential declaration to declare at least 12 Iowa counties as disaster areas.

EARLIER STORY:

Downtown Cedar Falls was closed and ordered evacuated today as the city prepares for a record flood.

The National Weather Service has now raised the flood level for Cedar Falls, saying now that it will crest at 103 feet later today.

The National Weather Service now projects that the Cedar River will reach an elevation of 103 feet and roll over the top of the downtown flood control levee.

City officials said the downtown area should close to business immediately, and said residents and merchants "need to prepare for evacuation by taking all steps necessary to safeguard their property." Downtown businesses were sandbagging their establishments and making evacuation plans.

Police were closing off downtown Cedar Falls as of 11 a.m. today.

CFU Channel 15 has constant updates on the flooding.

Kate Conlon, from Kate's on Main, said, "We were up all night just watching the river."

She was in business downtown in 1999. "They built a levy that year and finished it the night before and saved us."

At about 11 a.m. they started telling businesses owners to shut their shops and prepare for the flood. Conlon started ahead of the warning at 10 a.m. and was prepared for the flood by 11:30 a.m.

The downtown could get water by late afternoon.

Jim Landau, owner of Montage, also beat the rush by starting before word went out. He was helping neighboring building owners sandbag at 11:30 a.m.

"Back in '99 when we had that flood, I said that's the last time we will see that amount of water," he said

Arlene Humble of Humble Travel at Second and Main streets: We're just clearing computer equipment. We can't lose that. We'll set up and work at our house. it's Unbelieveable. We were here in '93 and the water got up. We never thought it would happen again."

Downtown was busy Tuesday morning as people milled around watching the river. Cup of Joe officials said they were specially busy.

After 11 a.m., the sightseers began to clear out and business owners sprang into action, sandbagging and moving belongings to higher ground.

The city urged people to stay away from flood areas to and avoid sightseeeing, as it will impede public safety and rescue efforts.

Volunteers are asked to report to the north parking lot of the UNI-Dome for sandbagging now. Volunteers should not travel downtown or go near the levee. Transportation will be provided for volunteers where help is needed.

Meanwhile, in Waterloo, the NWS said the river would crest at 26 feet. The downtown levy should hold at that level, but there may be some street flooding. The levy is supposed to hold to 27 feet.

A number of roads into and out of the metro area are closing, and businesses are scrambling to determine if their employees can get home from work today.

At 10:30 a.m., Waterloo officials said they were going to close the Park Avenue Bridge in downtown Waterloo. Already the Sixth and 11th street bridges over downtown are closed. Additional bridge closings may be required as the river level rises.

In Cedar Falls, a number of roads are already closed, including the Highway 218 - all on and off ramps at Highway 57. The Waterloo Road exit southbound between Waterloo and West 18th Street is also closed.