Morning update: After the storm

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By Rick Rector | Tuesday, July 22, 2008 |

City of Rock Island Parks employees Joe Simpao and Mark Simpao walk by a huge oak tree across the bike path in Sunset Park. (Larry Fisher/Quad-City Times) Buy this Photo

Good morning, Quad-Cities. At 6 a.m. it’s 66 degrees under foggy skies. Today will bring patchy fog before 7 a.m. Otherwise it will be mostly sunny with a high near 82 degrees. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 57 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

About 51,100 Quad-City area MidAmerican Energy customers were without power as of 6 a.m., according to MidAmerican. So as you begin your morning commute be patient and allow extra time for possible detours and delays as storm clean up continues. Also be courteous to your fellow motorists as many traffic lights remain out.

Roads that remain closed this morning because of storm damage include:

• John Deere Road from I-74 to 38th Street in Moline

• 41st Street from the Avenue of Cities to 26th Avenue in Moline

• The 1500 block of 36th Avenue in Moline

• South end of Ridgewood Road from 94th Street to 176th Street in Rock Island County

• Loud Thunder Road from the park to 233rd Street West in Rock Island County

• Joy Blacktop from Illinois 92 to 183rd Avenue West in Rock Island County

• County Highway 7 from 78th Avenue west to the parkway in Rock Island County

In Davenport the southbound portion of Jersey Ridge Road just south of Kimberly Road is closed today as utility crews work on a gas line. Detour signs are posted for drivers.

Crews are scheduled to wrap up their inspection of the Interstate 74 bridge over the Mississippi River today. This means the Iowa-bound left lane will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Iowa DOT urges caution when traveling through this work zone.

Check for area road work/closings and closings across Iowa and Illinois before you head out this morning.

Also, check out our gas-price guide for the cheapest prices at the pumps in the Quad-Cities.

Shelters open to storm victims

The American Red Cross has opened shelters in Milan, Silvis and Port Byron, Ill. Shelters are located at Eagle Ridge School, Silvis; Riverdale Middle School, Port Byron; and the Milan Community Center.

Flights delayed

Because of the extensive power outages on the Illinois side of the Quad-Cities, flights continue to be delayed or canceled at the Quad-City International Airport, according to its Web site. Travelers with flights departing today are advised to call the airline’s 800 telephone to determine the status of the flight.

Camp closes for week

Because of the storm, Camp Abe Lincoln near Buffalo will be closed the rest of the week.

Yard waste pickup

Bettendorf and Davenport are relaxing their yard waste pickup rules for the week so that residents can get rid of those big limbs that fell all over the Quad-Cities yesterday.

The race for Bix

The Quad-City Times Bix 7 road race is fast approaching. This year’s race will be Saturday. You can register online at bix7.com.

River levels

The Rock and Iowa rivers have inched back above flood stage in our area. In Moline, the Rock is at 12.11 feet. Flood stage is 12 feet. The river will crest at 12.14 feet on Wednesday. The Iowa River is at 19.77 feet in Columbus Junction. Flood stage is 19 feet. The Iowa will crest there at 20.2 feet on Wednesday. In Wapello, the Iowa River is at 21.1 feet. Flood stage is 20 feet. The river is expected to crest also on Wednesday at 22.4 feet. Click here for other local river levels.

While you were sleeping

• Texas, Mexico prepare for Tropical Storm Dolly

• Extradition to UN tribunal looms for Karadzic

• Lawmakers move to curb Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac pay

• FDA finds salmonella strain in jalapeno pepper

Today’s events

• Boot Camp for Dads in Silvis (6:30 p.m.)

• Deery Brothers Race in Davenport (6:30 p.m.)

• Historical Society in Andover, Ill. (7 p.m.)

• Lincoln Park summer concert series in Rock Island (7 p.m.)

Most read stories

• Moline mayor declares state of emergency

• Storm rips across the Q-C

• Child dies when tree falls on tent at Colona campground

• Rock Island hit hardest by power outages

Latest multimedia

• VIDEO: Camp Abe Lincoln

• VIDEO: Storm hits Rock Island hard

• SLIDESHOW: Tracking The Storm

• SLIDESHOW: Readers’ photos

See news happening? Contact us

Stuck in traffic? See an accident or fire on your way to work? Drop us an e-mail at newsroom@qctimes.com or give us a call at (563) 383-2235 if you see breaking news such as house fires, traffic accidents and road conditions, street closures/detours and water main breaks in the Quad-City region.