Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: June 16, 2008

Contact:  PA3 Tom Atkeson
(314) 269-2623

COAST GUARD CONTINUES SUPPORT DURING MIDWEST FLOODING

  ST. LOUIS, Mo. -  Coast Guard crews continue to assist state and local agencies today with search and rescue, and relief operations in Iowa as rivers continue to flood multiple Midwest cities.

Two Coast Guard Disaster area Response Teams (DART's) from Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River continue to assist in Iowa City, Iowa.  Joining the DART's in Iowa City are three Flat Bottom Cutter Boats from the Coast Guard Cutters Sangamon, Scioto and Wyaconda.

Two DART's from Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley are en-route to Quincy, Ill., for rapid  response operations as the river crest continues down river.

Coast Guard crews have rescued eight people stranded in their homes or businesses since arriving on scene in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Friday.

Coast Guard rescue crews will continue to relocate downriver of the crest to be positioned for response operations.

"The Coast Guard remains strongly committed to supporting direct flood and disaster assistance to the states of Iowa, Ill., and Mo.," said Cmdr.  Mark  Cunningham,  deputy commander Sector Upper Mississippi River.

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U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790