News : Storm halts sandbagging, floods streets and downs trees

Vinton resident Ryan Cummings shared this photo of a large fallen tree limb and the water covering W. 3rd Street in Vinton Thursday evening. Mother Nature found yet another way to harass Vinton area residents, dumping heavy rain with strong winds throughout the Benton County area on Thursday afternoon, as members of the VFD and VMEU staff and many volunteers were attempting to set up and fill the Hesco flood barriers. The storm blew through at around 5:30 p.m.; italso canceled the chili contest at the Vinton Farmers Market, as well as the live music that had been planned for the John's Qwik Stop Grand Opening celebration, where band members and attendees scrambled to move the sound equipment and even the keg as a torrential rain fell. A few large limbs were blown from trees, landing on city streets. Other streets were temporarily closed due to several inches of rain water which overwhelmed the storm drainage system. But by 6:30 p.m., the rain had left and sunshine began to peek through the clouds as fire fighters and others resumed work on the flood barriers. The National Weather Service's Cedar River flood page still predicted a crest of 22.1 feet, although the time of the crest was revised to 6 p.m. Sunday. Residents who live in areas likely to be flooded have been moving items out of their basements and homes, with the help of relatives, neighbors and some volunteers, including members of the VS football team. See that page HERE.