Iowa City Moves Ahead With Flood-Protection Plans

Despite opposition from some residents on the north side of town, the city council in Iowa City has decided to accept $15.7 million in federal grant money for three flood-protection levees.

Two would be built on the south side of town.

The one to the north, along the Iowa River, worries residents whose homes would be between the levee and the river.

When the city offered federal buyouts of flood-damaged homes, owners were warned about where new levees would be built.

But one resident, Joel Wilcox, told the city council that “it’s starting to feel like the buyout program is being used to bully people.”