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University of Iowa prepping for floods

With the severity of upcoming rainfall uncertain, the University of Iowa is taking some of the most significant measures since 2008 to protect the campus against potential flooding.

Personnel at the University of Iowa are sandbagging and constructing temporary flood barriers around some campus buildings. And 84 students will need to move out of Mayflower Residence Hall, the same dormitory that was flooded in 2008.

Director of Planning Design and Construction Rod Lehnertz says plans for a permanent flood wall to protect the Mayflower Residence Hall are in the works.

“We have received final FEMA approval of the Mayflower plan, we’ll go to the Board of Regents and bid a project that on a more permanent basis will protect that building from the impacts of floodwaters,” Lehnertz says.  

On Wednesday afternoon, students living in Mayflower Hall for summer classes will be moved to other student housing.  Residence hall personnel say they aim to close the building by 8 p.m.