NEW : By Tuesday afternoon , residents of Cedar Rapids , Iowa , where the Cedar River inundated more than 400 city blocks , were beginning to return home as the rivers lessened , said Lu Barron , a Linn County supervisor . Towns rush to build makeshift barriers to hold back rising floodwaters . NEW : Record flooding anticipated for towns in Illinois , Iowa . High water forces officials to close Illinois 34 span between U.S. , Illinois . Courtney Greene sets up 24 centers in Iowa ; 24 counties declared disasters .
NEW : Towns rush to build makeshift barriers to hold back rising floodwaters . NEW : Record flooding anticipated for towns in Illinois , Iowa . High water forces officials to close Illinois 34 span between U.S. , Illinois . Courtney Greene sets up 24 centers in Iowa ; 24 counties declared disasters .