Iowa, Mississippi begin to fall

IOWA CITY, Iowa, June 16 (UPI) -- Officials of cities along the Iowa and Mississippi rivers breathed a little easier Monday as the rivers retreated from their crests well above flood stage.

As water levels fell in Cedar Rapids, the city's much-criticized efforts to allow residents back into their homes ended Monday because officials said too many neighborhoods remained unsafe, the Des Moines Register reported. Police said inspectors found too many gas leaks and other dangers in flooded neighborhoods.

Area bridges were being inspected for safety, said Dave Koch, a city spokesman.

In Iowa City, home to the University of Iowa, 16 buildings on campus were flooded. Classes were suspended after at least 8 feet of water flooded the campus.

The National Guard has been called in to help several cities fortify their levees along the Mississippi with sandbags.

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said about 36,000 Iowans were homeless because of the flood and declared 83 of the state's 99 counties disaster areas.

Cities along the Mississippi River from Iowa to Illinois watched the swollen river flood downtowns and cause traffic to be rerouted, the Moline (Ill.) Dispatch said.

Rock Island, Ill., officials monitoring the Rock River said that waterway seems to have calmed down.

The Mississippi crested between 5 feet and 6 feet above flood stage in several communities, including Rock Island, LeClaire and Keithsburg.